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Merlin? But tail does not look right!


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#1 lesliejmorris

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Posted 28 July 2012 - 08:47 PM

I thought this was a Merlin, but the tail does not look right! Can anyone help. I got this today (July 28, 2012) at the Consumnes River Preserve outside of Sacramento California. I need a better identification book![attachment=99049:IMG_1108_web.jpg]

#2 psweet

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Posted 28 July 2012 - 11:31 PM

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk. A Merlin would, as you noted, have a different tail pattern. Also, the second primary back from the tip would be the longest, and only 3 primaries would stick out, instead of the 5 seen here. And finally, a Merlin would be about half as long as this guy.

#3 TheBillyPilgrim

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Posted 28 July 2012 - 11:37 PM

Agree with Psweet's ID. Beautiful photo!
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#4 snick

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Posted 29 July 2012 - 12:54 AM

Fantastic photograph.

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#5 lesliejmorris

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Posted 29 July 2012 - 03:46 AM

Thanks! Glad to add a Swainson's Hawk to my collection. Been working hard on photography technique...now need to work on identification! Thanks for your help.

#6 TheBillyPilgrim

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Posted 29 July 2012 - 02:09 PM

Forgot to welcome you to Whatbird!
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#7 MWM

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Posted 29 July 2012 - 10:08 PM

Just for reference, I took this pic of a Merlin last week in central NY.

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