Raptor ID please

[Gale]

Not sure.
Thank You

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[Ken-L]

Gale,

IMHO....That's an American Kestrel (Falcon). Falco sparverius.

 

[Gale]

Gee Ken he was quite large. Hummmmm

 

[Ken-L]

I "assumed" this was taken in Florida.... the closest I could find in National Geographic's "Field Guide to the Birds of North America", was the Kestrel - possibly a juvenile female.... but I also would not be surprised to find I'm wrong!

Especially if this is a "larger" bird. The Kestrel adult is only about 10½" long.... My next guess might be a Cooper's Hawk, juvenile female....

 

[Gale]

Awww the copers hawk have been seen out in the Viera Wetlands, Florida. Also other hawks and falcons.

Tough for me to tell.

He was bigger than 10 inches though.

 

[Backdoctor]

I think its a Merlin, better check the Sibleys.

 

[Gale]

Thank You Harris,

Guess I need to get one of those books.

Looking foward to this coming week and seeing you real soon :>)))

 

[jfenton]

Gale

Definetly looks like a merlin to me

 

[Gale]

Thank You Jim.

Thats very exciting :>)))

 

[Keith]

Made me get my bookie out, just bought one, been putting it off since the day I started shooting birds, my sis likes id'ing for me, but opened er' up, have to agree with the boys, Merlin it is............. very cool!

 

[Ken-L]

The Merlin is on the same page as the Kestrel in my book, and is just 1½" larger (12 versus 10½) .... they are certainly similar ....