Is this Peale's Falcon in Japan? (1 Viewer)

stoop · Nov 12, 2012

Hello, I posted this on the Birds of Prey forum too but haven't had a reply yet:

I photographed this Peregrine in Niigata, Japan yesterday. I don't think it is a Japanese subspecies which is usually very pale and without such a full helmet.

Yesterday's bird appeared quite large and dwarfed another peregrine which attacked it. I'm wondering if it's the subspecies, Peale's Falcon from the north Pacific?

Over the same week a troop of Aleutian Geese have passed through this area too. The same time every year now (The last three years) actually which is attracting bird watchers around the country.

Thank you for your ideas!

All the best,

rockfowl · Nov 12, 2012

Hi Russell,

I'm not really familiar with the Peale's ssp so I couldn't rule it out but your bird looks within plumage range for the japonensis ssp albeit with heavier barring - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdi...es&Bird_ID=1056&Bird_Family_ID=110&pagesize=1

chris butterworth · Nov 12, 2012

I think it's a dark japonicus. I've seen a couple of similar birds on the Shiritoko Pen. and at Kushiro over the last couple of winters.

Chris

stoop · Nov 13, 2012

Thanks Mark and Chris.

-It's food for thought about the japonensis but I'm still not writing off the Peale's.

I've been in Honshu for over a decade and haven't seen such a large dark one like this before.

I have also just posted about it on my blog: http://russelljenkinsstoop.blogspot.jp so hope to get some replies there too.

Cheers

Is this Peale's Falcon in Japan? (1 Viewer)

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stoop

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