I’ve known for a few months that one or more falcons frequent the skies around here: I’ve been noticing unpredictable flight patterns by birds larger than a swallow, and pointed wings have caught my eye, from the sky, numerous times. The falcon(s) are small enough that I wondered: merlin or kestrel? At this time of year, both are present here.<\/p>\n
\nToday I heard a long plaintiff series rather like kee kee kee…., then saw the bird circle, then settle in, a high tree. I hoped its call would be decisive, so came in and listened to that of a merlin and of a kestrel. I think the bird is a merlin. It’s dark-colored, which fits with how they are meant to look on the Pacific coast. Moreover, I think it’s too big to be a kestrel.<\/p>\n
Source:<\/p>\n
Hoar, De Smet, et al. Birds of Canada<\/em>. Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing, 2010.<\/p>\n \nallaboutbirds.org<\/a><\/p>\n allaboutbirds.org<\/a><\/p>\nJack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane,<\/a> Campbell River, BC.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-tutoring about birds: the tutor tells of discovering a merlin. I’ve known for a few months that one or more falcons frequent the skies around here: I’ve been noticing unpredictable flight patterns by birds larger than a swallow, and pointed …<\/p>\n