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Merlin?

Started by Trish, Jul 18 2012 12:50 AM

merlin unknown bird

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Trish

Trish

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Posted 18 July 2012 - 12:50 AM

Hi all!

Been lurking on WhatBird and soaking up all of your knowledge. Can usually figure out my birds, but I'm finally stumped. Found this little guy at the Celery Farm in Alllendale, NJ. Looks forestry but is actually between 2 small bodies of water. He was tiny. No more than 12 inches head to tail tip. Heavy catbird area and seemed to be listening to the calls. Checking my guide, my gut says Merlin. But now second guessing myself with a sharpie. Still want to say Merlin. You all are much keener birders than me, so is my gut right?

merlin2 (800x763).jpg 323.8K 45 downloads

merlin3 (800x533).jpg 280.5K 54 downloads

merlin (800x533).jpg 243.28K 30 downloads

*hope I did this correctly...

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#2 fisherman1313

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LocationRiverbank, CA

Posted 18 July 2012 - 01:06 AM

It's an Accipiter, probably a Cooper's Hawk.

New Year's Resolutions:
Get my lifelist to 300 (currently 293)
Finally get Mountain Quail and Vesper Sparrow
Top my previous single year best (2011-253) I'm at 193 as of 5/12.

Latest Lifer(s):Harris's Sparrow, Oka Ponds, Campbell, CA, 1/1/13

Favorite Recent Bird(s):Yellow-breasted Chat, Knights Ferry Rec Area, Knights Ferry, CA, 5/20/13; Blue-winged Teal (Pair), Peregrine Falcon, Sanderling (3),Franklin's Gull (9), Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facility, Modesto, CA, 5/12/13, MacGillivray's Warber, Adair Rd., Modesto, CA, 5/5/13, Long-eared Owl, Mercy Hot Springs, Fresno County, CA, 4/29/13, Lawrwnce's Goldfinch, Panoche Shool, San Benito County, CA, 4/29/13,Lawrwnce's Goldfinch, McHenry Rec Area, Escalon, CA, 4/21/13, Snowy Plover, Modesto Water Treatment Plant, Modesto, CA, 4/14/13, Blue-winged Teal, Redhead, San Luis NWR, Merced County, CA, 3/11/13, Eurasian Wigeon, American Bittern, Santa Fe Grade Rd., Merced County,, CA, 3/9/13

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#3 BarnSwallow

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LocationMonkton Maryland

Posted 18 July 2012 - 01:09 AM

Juvie Cooper's. If it really was very small, probably a male. The shorter outer tail feathers say it's a coop, not a sharpie.

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#4 creeker

creeker

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LocationSan Diego County

Posted 18 July 2012 - 01:09 AM

With the shorter outer tail feathers and sparse underside streaking, I agree once again with fisherman.
EDIT: and Barnswallow.

Creationist Birder

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#5 Trish

Trish

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Posted 18 July 2012 - 01:36 AM

Thank you. I was way off. The size threw me. This guy was really petite. Had the following picture id'd as a juvie Cooper back in Jan. What a difference 6 months makes!