Date: 5/20/26 11:51 pm From: Robert O'Brien <00001bb3f9cc1f1f-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Falcon in CO
In suggesting Peregrine, I did consider a falconers hybrid. But the
probabilities seem slim.
A hybrid including Peregrine
it escapes,
It is observed,
it is photographed.
Nevertheless I'm quite open to that. But with what?
It does look like a weird Peregrine . Seems large and Aplomado is a
smallish falcon....?
Bob obrien, Portland or
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, <greatgrayowl...> <
<0000012933c40dff-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> 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 > > >
> >
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