Watched a falcon from the kitchen window (west of Edmonton) today. Perched high on an Aspen at the edge of the green space, nearby bird feeders. Two magpies eventually moved it off. Falcon shape, big “shoulders” pointed wings almost as long as the pointed (while perched) tail. Just barely shorter in length than the magpies. Light colour underside, dark greyish brown uppers, wings darker toward the tips, barely visible dark banding on tail, lighter over the shoulder toward the back of the neck, very slight amount of lighter “eyebrow”. Juvenile bird? When it flew the wing beat was relatively slow, 3 beats and then a pause, 3 beats and then a pause. Too big for a Merlin?? Too small for a Gyrfalcon?? Goshawk?? What are your thoughts on this?
Where it also offers some tips on telling the difference between them: ”
Similar Species
Very similar in plumage to Cooper's Hawk. Cooper's Hawkhas proportionately longer tail, rounded at the tip. Cooper's Hawk is more robust and has a proportionately larger head. Adult Cooper's Hawk has a dark cap that contrasts with its back. Juvenile Cooper's Hawk has less streaking underneath and more white on the tip of the tail. In flight, the larger head of the Cooper's Hawk is apparent, sticking out farther in front of the wings. For more information separating the two species click here.
Merlin is similar to juvenile, but its wingtips nearly reach the end of the tail, not less than half way down as in Sharp-shinned Hawk. Merlin has long, pointed wings in flight, not rounded.
Hi Ann, Thanks for the report of the accipiter. The description and location would suggest to me an imm. Northern Goshawk. They are the largest of the accipiters
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