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Hi All

We have a few birds flying round the building I work in. I can't be sure if its a Peregrine Falcon or a Kestral? It sounds almost like a seagull (but clearly isn't) when its shrieking. As I'm really only seeing silhouettes its difficult to see any colours. Is there an easy way to see which one it is?

Many thanks.

 

I assume you are in North America.  American Kestrels are much smaller birds than Peregrines, and lighter in color.  They tend to be more vocal as well, although Peregrines can be quite vocal around a nest, especially the young birds.  Another thing to watch for if you can only see silhouettes is the wing beat frequency.  The Peregrine wing beat isn't by any means slow, but the Kestrel is even quicker and shallower.  Peregrines have a deeper wing beat.  Also, Kestrels will sometimes hover, holding their position over the ground while furiously beating their wings.  Peregrines do not do this.

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Randy

Hi Taipan, and welcome to whatbird.  Location would help in the ID, as would the type of habitat nearby. Peregrines are almost twice the size of kestrels, with the latter being just smaller than a bluejay but with longer wings.  Another common falcon is a merlin, which is a bit bigger than a kestrel.  If you get another look, check for any colours, facial patterns,  tail patterns, etc.

Scott

Oh, I see Randy has added some useful behavioural tips as well.

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Lodnon in England. There are Peregrines in the locale, they nest at the Tate Modern (http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/london-peregrine009.html#cr). Listening to the call of the Peregrine here http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/index.asp I'd say it  was one. But the pictures I got of them last year when they were here had people saying they were Kestrals? Here's the pictures of last years birds.

 

 

I haven't seen this years ones at this sort of range but the call is the same. I often see Kestrals hovering around the road sides etc and I have ever seen these birds do that. I dont know if there are two males competing for the female but they one seems to be fending he other off and this is when they make the cry that sounds like a seagull?

 Best

Dave

 

 

OK - I should have noticed your location on your first post, sorry.  I know little about European birds, but this bird in your top picture does look like one that is in my North American books as a vagrant - the Eurasian (or Common) Kestrel.  They share some of the habits of the American Kestrel including hovering.  I can't be sure about the juvenile pic but it sure doesn't look like a juvenile Peregrine.  Our Peregrines are the same species as yours so all that has been said about them still applies.  Vocalizing while competing for mates would make sense.

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Randy