Falconers love to hybridize birds, with one of the most common crosses being between Gyr and Peregrine. I can see Gyrfalcon in this bird, but what else may be impossible to determine, given the range of possibilities (including non-north American races of Peregrine, and similar species, such as the Saker, plus back-crosses, into F2 and F3 generations.)
It might be possible to lure this bird to hand (raw meat on a gauntlet and a blown whistle might do it) and, with skill, grab it (I've done it) or it might have been on its own too long, or have too much food available, for that to happen, but at least these excellent photos show that there is no way that this is a Prairie Falcon, whatever it is or whatever its origin. Barry > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of Jean Iron > Sent: January 19, 2004 1:38 PM > To: ontbirds@hwcn.org > Subject: Toronto's Mystery Falcon > > Ontbirders, > > After missing it yesterday, Jean and I finally saw the confusing falcon > around 11 a.m. at Humber Bay East in Toronto. There's been much debate > whether it's a Prairie Falcon. Jean has two photos of it on her website > via > her signature below. We and many others saw it flying low directly > overhead > several times. It chased Rock Pigeons giving us fabulous views. We also > had > close views of it in the scope when it perched several times on low light > standards (see photos). We watched it on and off for about 45 minutes. > > It is NOT a Prairie Falcon. The bird had checkered black-and-white wing > linings like many Peregrines. It completely lacked the dark wingpits > (axillaries) and usual dark wing linings (coverts) of a Prairie Falcon. It > didn't have a white area behind the eye, which is typical Prairie Falcons. > Interestingly, a band was seen by three observers on its right leg. It's > also tame. > > What is it? I don't know. I need to do more research. Had I seen it fly by > the High Park hawkwatch in late September, I would have guessed a juvenile > Tundra Peregrine Falcon. Others have suggested a Saker falcon or a > falconer's hybrid. We may post the photos on ID-Frontiers and/or send them > to falconers and hawk specialists for their opinion. > > Directions: Humber Bay East is reached by turning south off Lakeshore Blvd > at Parklawn. We saw it at the main parking lot and surrounding open areas > to the north. > > Happy birding, > > Ron Pittaway > > Jean Iron > http://www3.sympatico.ca/jeaniron/ > 9 Lichen Place > Toronto ON M3A 1X3 > 416-445-9297 > > Jean Iron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving > and joining the list. As well as general information and content > guidelines. "Barry Kent MacKay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
