Wanted to throw my two bits in on this Merlin discussion as I’m fortunate enough to get to experience both “Taiga” (Falco columbarius columbarius) and “Black” Merlins (F.c. suckleyi) fairly regularly. The “Taiga” subspecies is the common bird we have around in North Idaho where we split time, and can say fairly definitively all of the photos shared here are not of typical “Taiga”s , but rather more closely resemble “Black”s. “Taiga” Merlins always give a warmer appearance as most show reddish brown to brown markings on the underparts, and dark bluish grey to brown upper parts depending on age and sex. “Black”s on the other hand always seem cold dark grey to sooty without much if any warm hues at any age – think “Harlan’s” Red-tail vibe. There was “Black” Merlin one fall at the Vancouver, BC airport (apparently liked to hunt the taxi way used by flights to and from Seattle; saw several times) which looked very much like the bird Dave had up at Fort Collins City Park; given the amount of white and narrow streaking, thinking an immature bird.
While on the topic of unusual raptors, we had what was possibly an adult “KRIDER’S” RED-TAILED HAWK at Huston Park (SW Denver, Denver Co.) this afternoon (17 Mar.’21) which would be WAY out of place, so still consternating. Initially noticed as it was being harassed by a couple of antagonistic crows and realized how pale the bird was, so started thinking light phase “Harlan’s”. However to my point above, this guy seemed “warm” colored, then when it finally flushed, noted pale, almost white, pinkish tail, pale head, white “flash” to the primary bases, well defined, though short patagial markings, and almost entirely white underparts save a faint rusty brown belly band – pretty much a Ferruginous Hawk in a Red-tail body. Never saw it’s back well due to light, and couldn’t gauge pale brown vs greyish tone, so still could have been a “Harlan’s” or maybe a hybrid. Will continue to consternate. In any case the Merlins you guys saw are great birds for Colorado, so glad you are keeping the vicarious birding rolling. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Doug Denver From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Nicholas Komar Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 12:05 PM To: Susan Rosine <u5b2mt...@gmail.com> Cc: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: Fort Collins City Park on 3/15/21 Merlin I don’t think any of the three merlins photographed in this thread qualify as Black (Pacific) Merlin. Sibley depicts Bblack Merlin as having more black than white on underparts from chest to vent and an almost completely black helmet. I think these are female Taiga merlins on the dark end of the spectrum. Nick Komar Fort Collins On Mar 17, 2021, at 12:53 PM, Susan Rosine <u5b2mt...@gmail.com> wrote: CORRECTION the year was 2020 Susan Brighton On Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 12:50 PM Susan Rosine <u5b2mt...@gmail.com <mailto:u5b2mt...@gmail.com> > wrote: Here's a confirmed Black Merlin I photographed at Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR (Adams County) back on April 17, 2021. Hope the photos help. https://ebird.org/checklist/S67377053 Susan Rosine Brighton On Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 11:41 AM John Shenot <johnshe...@gmail.com <mailto:johnshe...@gmail.com> > wrote: Dave et al., I photographed a very dark Merlin a few miles from there (Prospect Ponds) in January that I also thought might be Pacific race, but lacking your experience and ID skills I was reluctant to report it as such. See photo on eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S79421827. Maybe it's the same bird and it's been hanging around all winter? What's the normal range for a wintering Merlin? John Shenot Fort Collins, CO On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:59:09 AM UTC-6 Dave Leatherman wrote: Yesterday at Fort Collins City Park I was checking Sheldon Lake from the boardwalk when a small falcon flew past carrying prey. I tracked this bird down in an elm northeast of the lake and discovered a very dark Merlin eating what I think was a mostly headless European Starling (blackish bird with speckles and long pink legs with giant pink feet). As with accipiters, apparently the sweetbreads get consumed first. I am thinking this is a dark (Pacific) subspecies, which I've only seen a couple times in Colorado. Any comments on whether it is a Pacific vs. Taiga welcome. I definitely don't think this individual is our typical Prairie subspecies. The storm seems to have pushed a good number of Cassin's Finches into the City Park/Grandview Cemetery area. The Spotted Towhee (two of them) that have wintered in the block of neighborhood east of the cemetery are singing off and on. Big infusion of robins of late. Tree damage has been significant but the moisture will soon create 6-foot-tall daffodils I suspect. As an aside, I was told my presentation given recently to Fort Collins Audubon Society about the cemetery was recorded and put on YouTube. For anyone interested who was unable to attend live, go to the FCAS website for access details. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. 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