ML646374443

观察细节

Seen at the top of a light pole above the parking lot. Looking around but not moving. Chest is light with many vertical brown streaks. Backside and head is solid dark brown. Estimated to be somewhere between the size of a robin and crow. Feathers were puffed out, possibly due to a slight breeze in the area. Originally thought to be a juvenile hawk based on the size and feather pattern. Beak seemed to start lower on the face compared to hawks in the area, so other birds of prey were looked into. Looking on eBird for recent months, there is a Merlin seen in the area that looks very similar. After comparing photos, ultimately decided this is likely a Merlin and may be the same individual seen in some other photos. It has the characteristics specified above, as well as tan eyebrows, yellow on the base of a black beak, and a tan patch directly below the beak.