ML118032421

Age and sex

Unknown age, Female - X

Media notes

either hatch-year or adult female MERLIN, South Prairie meadow 2018Oct06, Linda Steider Studios and Photographer

Observation details

visual roadside tree perch and then fly-over above us in meadow at 8:49 a.m. Stuart Johnston noted that its flight was fast and direct with forceful wingbeats (as compared to an AMKE). Later, long looks with spotting scope at 9:23 a.m. from a tree perch within the meadow with its backside to us. Body brown and flank pattern was brown 'checkered' or squarish with spots below as seen by Flick thru the scope. Tail fanned to see two clearly visible, light tail bars and white-tipped terminal rectrices. It turned its head multiple times for excellent views. Its iris was dark. Stuart Johnston adds, "The Merlin showed a very noticeable pale, whitish line going back from the top of the eye. Looking at Sibley Birds West, that would seem to eliminate Pacific/Black Merlin. That said, there is very likely a cline between Black and Taiga Merlins where their ranges overlap... Ours seemed closer to Taiga, though, if we had to choose." All-in-all,we were led to hatch-year or adult female by its body plumage and tail color (brown). There was no hint of blue cast in any of our views of the upperparts or the tail so it was definitely not a male. Size was not helpful for sexing this single bird sighting.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N

ISO

1000

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

700 pixels x 467 pixels

Original file size

189.13 KB