not sure about the beak.http://www.bird-friends.com/BirdPage.php?name=Merlin no mustache or I might have thought juvenile peregrine.http://www.bird-friends.com/BirdPage.php?name=Peregrine%20Falcon will find out.
Hi Robert, appears to be a Cooper's Hawk - quite common in all neighborhoods of San Diego County!
Merlin are smaller and shorter tailed. In addition the Merlin enjoys open country, grasslands, marshes, etc. where it can hunt at will flying low over the ground in search of small birds. Cooper's Hawk is much more tree loving and will perch low on boughs hidden while waiting around to take off on another run through the neighborhood trees!
great!
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent image. Is this little guy a kestrel? I don't know my raptors that well but he looks smaller than a falcon to me.
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteEverything I looked up indicated it was a type of falcon called the Merlin:(Wikipedia page)
Sorry, better link here: (Wikipedia page)
ReplyDeleteOK, a Merlin it is.
ReplyDeletenot sure about the beak.http://www.bird-friends.com/BirdPage.php?name=Merlin no mustache or I might have thought juvenile peregrine.http://www.bird-friends.com/BirdPage.php?name=Peregrine%20Falcon will find out.
ReplyDeleteHard to tell sometimes, here's another shot with more plumage visible
ReplyDeleteCould also be Sharp-shinned Hawk, the winter habitat area as well as eye color fits.
From Gary Nunn - San Diego Birding
ReplyDeleteHi Robert, appears to be a Cooper's Hawk - quite common in all neighborhoods of San Diego County!
Merlin are smaller and shorter tailed. In addition the Merlin enjoys open country, grasslands, marshes, etc. where it can hunt at will flying low over the ground in search of small birds. Cooper's Hawk is much more tree loving and will perch low on boughs hidden while waiting around to take off on another run through the neighborhood trees!
Gary
Let's not rule a drone out either.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot with equally great comments! It is nice to see that folks are looking.
ReplyDelete