Is This Praire Falcon?

deb22

I would like to know if anyone could post some pics of prairie falcons as I shot this one up in northern Alberta a couple of days ago and all my bird books say it does not come anywhere near here. Is it a common falcon down south ? I never see any posts other than red tailed ,shouldered, rough legged etc. Just curious, they are a beautiful bird up close.[IMG][/img] :dunno

Netgarden

Nice photo! At first I thought it was too dark for a PF, but maybe the desert Prairie Falcons here inland so cal are lighter, I don't know. But I looked yours up in my Field Guide and it sure looks as it is a Prairie Falcon. Great get!

raptorcaptor

From that angle I'm not sure either. Did you get a chance to see the bird in-flight?

One of the id features of a prairie falcon is dark feathers around the armpit.

Here's a pic:

http://www.raptorcaptor.com/Nature/Events/Hawk-banding-in-the-Antelope/2479856_bjHJv

deb22

Hi guys, ya I got lots of pictures before It got too dark out, I was a little unsure at first as I had to rule out merlins and perag,etc. I saw it from all angles but not seeing many [only 1 last year] I was not to sure but after viewing tail,color,white eyebrows,dark post occular markings along with size etc, I settled on prairie- I have a fairly good knowledge of hawks,falcons but In no way am I an expert, If anyone can think of anything else it could be please let me know. The dark feathers were not in the same position of a rough legged if that helps anyone. Never mind everyone I just went to Glenn's site and It definitely is a prairie falcon. Thanks for the link raptorcaptor. Next time I will post with a better angle if I need an I.D. I just thought this one was pretty. Ha Ha.

raptorcaptor

deb22 wrote:

Hi guys, ya I got lots of pictures before It got too dark out, I was a little unsure at first as I had to rule out merlins and perag,etc. I saw it from all angles but not seeing many [only 1 last year] I was not to sure but after viewing tail,color,white eyebrows,dark post occular markings along with size etc, I settled on prairie- I have a fairly good knowledge of hawks,falcons but In no way am I an expert, If anyone can think of anything else it could be please let me know. The dark feathers were not in the same position of a rough legged if that helps anyone. Never mind everyone I just went to Glenn's site and It definitely is a prairie falcon. Thanks for the link raptorcaptor. Next time I will post with a better angle if I need an I.D. I just thought this one was pretty. Ha Ha.

Very nice photo! I love the bkg!