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]>
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