For those who may go searching for the possibly gyrfalcon north of Boulder, one
crucial field mark to keep in mind is the diagnostic white spot immediately
behind the eye of all prairie falcons. This would be tough to notice on a
flying bird, but is usually quite easy to see if you get a good look at a
perched adult prairie. (It's not quite as obvious on immatures.) I don't
think the spot is present in any gyrfalcon plumages, although the bright yellow
orbital skin on an adult gyr may give the impression of a small light spot
behind the eye.
Peter Ruprecht
Superior
--- On Sat, 12/19/09, Walter M Szeliga
> I would encourage anyone
> observing large
> Falcons along the Front Range to take detailed field notes
> as this
> identification does not appear as straightforward as most
> drawings and
> descriptions woud suggest.
--
Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/
Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/
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