ML53770091

Age and sex

Adult Female - X

Observation details

Adult female columbarius. I.D. Points: Notice the the dark eyes, weak mustache (malar) gray back (with darker gray adult feathers growing in) brown flanks with white spots (not very diagnostic in this photo) Not often visible in the field, the darker centers of the wing coverts near the shoulder can be seen well here. Also a tough field mark- the uppertail coverts are darker gray, matching the new adult back feathers which can be used accurately to age most female merlins in the hand or in some photos. The darker subterminal band at the end of the tail also indicates this is an adult bird

Technical information

Dimensions

748 pixels x 748 pixels

Original file size

120.1 KB