Date: 5/20/26 2:43 pm From: <greatgrayowl...> <0000012933c40dff-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Falcon in CO
Hey:
Sorry. I grabbed the wrong photo from eBird. Mexican Aplomado juveniles look like this: ML614422141 - Aplomado Falcon - Macaulay Library
Tony LeukeringDenver, COeBird blog
eBird commentaryPhotos
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 03:14:22 PM MDT, Eric VanderWerf <eric...> wrote:
Could it be an Aplomado Falcon, perhaps a juvenile? The size is hard to judge, and can't see the tail. The pale feather edges on the back suggest a juvenile. The moustache is wide for Aplomado and the white eyebrow too small, but more white is just visible on the nape. The bird seems a bit ruffled, which could cause the size and shape of those features to vary. Seems more likely than a juvenile escaped hybrid falconer's bird.
Eric VanderWerf
-----Original Message-----
From: NBHC ID-FRONTIERS Frontiers of Field Identification <BIRDWG01...> On Behalf Of Peter Wilkinson
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 10:21 AM
To: <BIRDWG01...>
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 >
