|
About this. I think Jerry Olsen said at a COG meeting some years ago that
the species was as common (or more) in urban Canberra as any city in the
world. Just in general being out and about (without going out to try), I
typically see a Peregrine Falcon or two, several times a year in Canberra.
Usually at least once a year over my home, which is not far from the
Murrumbidgee corridor (maybe 5 minutes flying time), sometimes in Civic, then
the more expected areas: Kambah Pool, J Wetlands, whatever. It helps to be
familiar with them and quickly pick the difference between them and other birds.
About three months ago, I saw one on three separate days, flying over the Kambah
Village sports grounds heading west, late in the day, one time possibly chasing
pigeons.
About "Bear in mind other sub-species have smaller feet". Yes the
Australian one is called F. p. macropus which suggests that. I wonder
at the basis for that and why or how much. Yes I have seen them perch on power
poles. Apart from the aspect of not liking to perch on small things like wires,
I think given a choice Peregrine Falcons prefer to
perch on trees, amongst the foliage or on rock ledges or buildings, where they
are not obvious, than to perch on really obvious places like power poles or dead
trees that so many other raptors favour. In comparison with Hobbies, Kestrels,
Brown Falcons, Black Falcons, Black-shouldered Kites, etc. These thoughts based
on two ideas: where I have actually seen them perching and the fact that the
vast majority of my observations of them over the years have been of them
flying, not perched. Yes they fly a lot but that suggests to me that when they
are perched, they are less obvious in their chosen location than most raptors do
(not including the goshawk group).
Sorry
I'm lost about the Kevin Rudd in Geoff's earlier
photo.
Philip
Just
a matter of keeping an eye out, Erika. One turns up at the wetlands now
and then
From: Erika
Roper [
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2012
11:19 AM
To: Geoffrey Dabb
Cc:
canberrabirds
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Dollarbird (juv.) at
wetlands
Interesting. I am sad to say,
that I have never actually seen a Peregrine in the wild, even when I lived in
the states for 18 months. Not for lack of trying mind you.
On 16 February 2012 09:45, Geoffrey Dabb <>
wrote:
Yes
Philip - I found this old snap which tends to illustrate your
point. Perhaps the large feet do not comfortably grip a wire. Of
course you could google one of those huge collections of species shots and work
through it. Bear in mind other sub-species have smaller
feet.
From: Philip
Veerman [
Sent: Wednesday, 15 February
2012 11:01 PM
To: 'Erika Roper'; 'canberrabirds'
Subject:
RE: [canberrabirds] Dollarbird (juv.) at
wetlands
Yes you
are certainly right about both those ids. The obvious Hobby features are the
mottled orangeish breast and the half collar going up over the side of the head.
Also a typical pose. The shape is distinctive for the species too. I think if
the photo was just a black outline and the feet were still visible, it
could still be picked as a Hobby. For what it is worth, I have never seen a
Peregrine Falcon perched on a power wire. Sure the chances are that someone
might be able to come up with a photo but it sure isn't typical.
The file
size of these photos is fine (not big at all).
|
