Bird of prey ID required to settle an argument -- photo not mine.

**jpzk** · 07-28-2017, 07:41 PM

So, I am getting into an argument about this bird (not mine - another fellow's with whom I am having this argument) and his identification is "Golden Eagle" !! ?? I said "falcon" (most probably a peregrine) and the argument goes on an on ...

Well, I have seen quite a few eagles and this one sure does NOT look like an eagle to me.
I'm thinking more like a "falconidae" type ..., peregrine more likely? No way to "size it up" either and I believe the shot was taken in a bird "rescue" place, or something like that.

Anyway, here's that bird:
(that's all I have to show ... no larger image available).

Attached Images

MarkJerling · 07-28-2017, 07:54 PM

It's almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).

**jpzk** · 07-28-2017, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

It's almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).

Thanks Mark.

I have to end this argument ...
I thought I was going nuts trying to tell this guy that NO WAY this is ANY type of eagle !!

Gosh, I have quite a few per. falcon pics myself (maybe not as close up as this one - that threw me off a bit with such a close up view) but ...

Cheers!

SSGGeezer · 07-28-2017, 07:57 PM

A juvenile Golden eagle has more mottling and as it matures becomes blonde colored around the head, not darker.

**boriscleto** · 07-28-2017, 08:04 PM - **2 Likes**

That's no Eagle. It's a Death Parrot!

MarkJerling · 07-28-2017, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

Thanks Mark.

I have to end this argument ...
I thought I was going nuts trying to tell this guy that NO WAY this is ANY type of eagle !!

Gosh, I have quite a few per. falcon pics myself (maybe not as close up as this one - that threw me off a bit with such a close up view) but ...

Cheers!

I think it's safe to say you've won this round.

DougieD · 07-28-2017, 08:41 PM

If that's a Golden Eagle, then it has disguised itself as a Falcon quite convincingly!

**jpzk** · 07-28-2017, 08:50 PM

Thanks guys!
I liked the fun replies ... adds a little humour to the argument !

Cheers!

MarkJerling · 07-28-2017, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

That's no Eagle. It's a Death Parrot!

Maybe it's pining for the fjords.

Imp · 07-28-2017, 09:32 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Maybe it's pining for the fjords.

Hello Polly! *Bang Bang Bang* Wake up Polly!
- "you've stunned it"

MadMathMind · 07-29-2017, 12:30 AM - **2 Likes**

Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon?

**Skodadriver** · 07-29-2017, 01:39 AM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon?

Got to like that!
I don't know the differences between a Romulan and Klingon bird of prey any more than I could differentiate between a Falcon and an Eagle.
Spellchecker needs to add Romulan.

35mmfilmfan · 07-29-2017, 02:45 AM

Had a brief look on Google - these seem similar :

falcon - Google Search

falcon - Google Search

plus a vast amount of unrelated material, including a Falcon San Remo racing bike, the one I lusted after when I was 14 !

pete-tarmigan · 07-29-2017, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

So, I am getting into an argument about this bird (not mine - another fellow's with whom I am having this argument) and his identification is "Golden Eagle" !! ?? I said "falcon" (most probably a peregrine) and the argument goes on an on ...

Well, I have seen quite a few eagles and this one sure does NOT look like an eagle to me.
I'm thinking more like a "falconidae" type ..., peregrine more likely? No way to "size it up" either and I believe the shot was taken in a bird "rescue" place, or something like that.

It is without a doubt in the genus Falco (falcons, merlins, kestrels, hobbies) due to the sharply contrasting, dark head cowl and huge eyes relative to head size. It's not even in the same avian order as Golden Eagle (Accipitriformes) (Falconiformes for falcons). The barring on the belly and the size of the bill suggest Peregrine (Falco peregrinus. However, the rusty colour on the undersides is very unusual except for the subspecies F. p. peregrinator (Indian subcontinent to southeast China). But even in that subspecies the upper breast and throat should be white. The same goes for Australian Hobby F. longipennis. Perhaps the colour in the photo was thrown off by ambient light or post-processing.

**Rondec** · 07-29-2017, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon?

On another note, maybe it's a Millennial Falcon...

07-28-2017, 07:41 PM	#1
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Bird of prey ID required to settle an argument -- photo not mine. So, I am getting into an argument about this bird (not mine - another fellow's with whom I am having this argument) and his identification is "Golden Eagle" !! ?? I said "falcon" (most probably a peregrine) and the argument goes on an on ... Well, I have seen quite a few eagles and this one sure does NOT look like an eagle to me. I'm thinking more like a "falconidae" type ..., peregrine more likely? No way to "size it up" either and I believe the shot was taken in a bird "rescue" place, or something like that. Anyway, here's that bird: (that's all I have to show ... no larger image available). Attached Images

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07-28-2017, 07:54 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	It's almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).

07-28-2017, 07:57 PM	#3
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling It's almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Thanks Mark. I have to end this argument ... I thought I was going nuts trying to tell this guy that NO WAY this is ANY type of eagle !! Gosh, I have quite a few per. falcon pics myself (maybe not as close up as this one - that threw me off a bit with such a close up view) but ... Cheers!

07-28-2017, 07:57 PM	#4
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	A juvenile Golden eagle has more mottling and as it matures becomes blonde colored around the head, not darker.

07-28-2017, 08:04 PM - 2 Likes	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	That's no Eagle. It's a Death Parrot!

07-28-2017, 08:16 PM	#6
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by jpzk Thanks Mark. I have to end this argument ... I thought I was going nuts trying to tell this guy that NO WAY this is ANY type of eagle !! Gosh, I have quite a few per. falcon pics myself (maybe not as close up as this one - that threw me off a bit with such a close up view) but ... Cheers! I think it's safe to say you've won this round.

07-28-2017, 08:41 PM	#7
DougieD Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Southwestern Ontario Posts: 89	If that's a Golden Eagle, then it has disguised itself as a Falcon quite convincingly!

07-28-2017, 08:50 PM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Thanks guys! I liked the fun replies ... adds a little humour to the argument ! Cheers!

07-28-2017, 09:08 PM	#9
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by boriscleto That's no Eagle. It's a Death Parrot! Maybe it's pining for the fjords.

07-28-2017, 09:32 PM - 2 Likes	#10
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Originally posted by MarkJerling Maybe it's pining for the fjords. Hello Polly! Bang Bang Bang Wake up Polly! - "you've stunned it"

07-29-2017, 12:30 AM - 2 Likes	#11
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon?

07-29-2017, 01:39 AM	#12
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	Originally posted by MadMathMind Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon? Got to like that! I don't know the differences between a Romulan and Klingon bird of prey any more than I could differentiate between a Falcon and an Eagle. Spellchecker needs to add Romulan.

07-29-2017, 02:45 AM	#13
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	Had a brief look on Google - these seem similar : falcon - Google Search falcon - Google Search plus a vast amount of unrelated material, including a Falcon San Remo racing bike, the one I lusted after when I was 14 !

07-29-2017, 04:57 AM	#14
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by jpzk So, I am getting into an argument about this bird (not mine - another fellow's with whom I am having this argument) and his identification is "Golden Eagle" !! ?? I said "falcon" (most probably a peregrine) and the argument goes on an on ... Well, I have seen quite a few eagles and this one sure does NOT look like an eagle to me. I'm thinking more like a "falconidae" type ..., peregrine more likely? No way to "size it up" either and I believe the shot was taken in a bird "rescue" place, or something like that. It is without a doubt in the genus Falco (falcons, merlins, kestrels, hobbies) due to the sharply contrasting, dark head cowl and huge eyes relative to head size. It's not even in the same avian order as Golden Eagle (Accipitriformes) (Falconiformes for falcons). The barring on the belly and the size of the bill suggest Peregrine (Falco peregrinus. However, the rusty colour on the undersides is very unusual except for the subspecies F. p. peregrinator (Indian subcontinent to southeast China). But even in that subspecies the upper breast and throat should be white. The same goes for Australian Hobby F. longipennis. Perhaps the colour in the photo was thrown off by ambient light or post-processing.

07-29-2017, 06:13 AM	#15
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by MadMathMind Man, and I thought this was going to be a thread about Star Trek. Romulan or Klingon? On another note, maybe it's a Millennial Falcon...