Peregrine Falcon swoops on Maison Jaune
We are well used to the Rough-Legged Buzzards that are breeding in the valley and fly over the house frequently… however we were delighted to spot a breeding pair of what look like juvenile Peregrine Falcons that were hanging around the chalet earlier today….
A little shy, they perched on the nearby snow cannons, and also on the local piste marker…
We think they were juvenile Peregrine Falcons or perhaps Sparrowhawks – but any ornothologists care to put us straight??
Peregrine Falcon or Sparrowhawk or ???
I think it’s a young male hen harrier
Comment by SnowshoePhil — Saturday 30 October 2010 @ 9:08 am
I have been trying to identify a bird in my parents garden today and looking specifically at Sparrowhawks and Peregrine Falcons. I have to say I don’t think this is either and certainly not a juvenile Hen Harrier. I think it more likely a young Kestrel due to its apparent size and light colouring. A peregrine would have more markings on its chest in a banding pattern.
You also mention that they were a breeding pair of juvenile birds. I think this is very unlikely as juvenile birds do not breed. They were either adult birds or a pair of juvenile siblings. I think the latter is more likely as the colouring of this bird does not seem to match the adult colouring of any of the likely suspects.
Comment by Mark Gurney — Tuesday 8 February 2011 @ 12:27 pm