Date: 5/20/26 1:35 pm From: Peter Wilkinson <pwilki42...> Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Falcon in CO
What an interesting bird!
Some thoughts, though nothing definitive.
I rather doubt HY Peregrine, as suggested by Leith, as I think that should
still have a blue rather than yellow cere.
My first reaction was that it is possibly a hybrid, probably a falconer’s
rather than a natural one. I’m not convinced by Perlin: I don’t recall
seeing one in the flesh, but a falconer friend (now retired) used to fly
one and I’ve seen lovely photos – I know hybrids can vary quite a lot but
Rachel’s bird still doesn’t look quite right.
My guess would be Pere x Lanner – certainly I understand that is a hybrid
that has been used in this country.
Hope this makes some sort of sense! Hybrid falcons, if that is what it is,
are not easy.
Regards,
Peter Wilkinson
Herts, UK
On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 6:12 PM Leith McKenzie <
<00001c0b99ee6c7e-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I suspect Bob is right. My theory of the bird would be HY tiercel
> Peregrine. I think HY because of the white on the face reaching up to the
> eye. Also, the long sit on the ground perhaps seems consistent with a
> recent departure from its nest. As to size, male peregrines are known to be
> about 2/3rds the size of females.
>
>
>
>
> “Each of us is in truth an idea of the Great Gull and an unlimited idea of
> freedom.”
>
> Jonathan Livingston Seagull
>
> On Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 07:36:13 PM PDT, Robert O'Brien <
> <00001bb3f9cc1f1f-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> The black face, long tail/wings could only be a peregrine, I believe. An
> unusual photo but not a rarity.
> Bob OBrien Portland
> https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/657931501 >
>
> On Tue, May 19, 2026 at 6:52 PM Rachel Hopper <hopkohome8...>
> wrote:
>
> > This falcon was photographed in Weld County, CO today. In the 15 minutes
> > the observer watched it, it did not move from the ground.
> >
> > It has been suggested that it might be an Eurasian Hobby as it does not
> > really fit either of the expected Peregrine or Prairie.
> >
> > Comments would be appreciated.
> >
> > Photos can be seen here: https://www.rkhphotography.net/Falcon > >
> > -----------------------
> > Rachel Kolokoff Hopper
> > <hopkohome8...>
> > Ft. Collins, CO
> >
> > Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html > >
>
> Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html >
>
> Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html >
