BajaNomad

ID this determined little bird

woody with a view - 7-27-2008 at 06:20 AM

scene on the beach in feb in bcs. scrappy little hawk dining on a seagull while trying to keep two sopilotes at bay. he finally gave up and flew off...

100_2713 (Small).jpg - 37kB

woody with a view - 7-27-2008 at 06:22 AM

close up...

100_2714 (Small).jpg - 36kB

BirdDog - 7-27-2008 at 07:08 AM

It looks like a Peregrine Falcon too me.

Osprey - 7-27-2008 at 08:15 AM

Good call dog. Those sopilotes wouldn't dare interrupt a pilgrim on a mission.

BajaHawk - 7-27-2008 at 09:02 AM

That is an AMAZING photo! Peregrine falcon for sure - mature one.

bajajudy - 7-27-2008 at 09:03 AM

Yes Woodsy
Those are fabulous photos
Thanks

[Edited on 7-27-2008 by bajajudy]

Lorito - 7-27-2008 at 09:37 AM

Woody, Very cool pics. Yes, a peregrine falcon.

Udo - 7-27-2008 at 11:39 AM

THANX FOR THE GREAT PHOTOS, WOODY!

I have seen these guys up close, and also close enough with my binocs where the binoc lens is filled with just a face.
The bird is fairly large, about half the size of an eagle...therefore my vote is for a Mexican Hawk.
Peregrin falcons are a little larger than a pidgeon.

Osprey - 7-27-2008 at 12:38 PM

Udo, just do your google. It's a peregrine.

Skipjack Joe - 7-27-2008 at 01:23 PM

Peregrines are crow sized:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon

Merlins are pigeon sized:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_(bird)

BajaHawk - 7-28-2008 at 09:17 AM

For sure it's a Peregrine Falcon. And what is notable in my mind is that you got to observe an interaction/standoff between it and a pair of Turkey Vultures. I have studied raptors and although I am sure it is not uncommon, I have never read an account of these two species squaring off.

woody with a view - 7-28-2008 at 09:32 AM

the perigrine was eating and of course the bigger birds slowly started moving in. you can see where the perigrine is holding on but leaning away from the sopilotes. we were driving down the beach when we came upon the scene so i don't know how long the standoff was.

by the looks of the seagull it had been dead for awhile. it doesn't look too plump and juicy, but maybe i'm wrong.

DianaT - 7-28-2008 at 09:37 AM

I just LOVE those photos---what a story they tell. :yes::yes:

Could write some good dialog for those photos.

Thanks.

Diane

Udo - 7-28-2008 at 10:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Udo, just do your google. It's a peregrine.

Quote:

When I'm wrong, I'm wrong! There are better naturalists on this forum than in others, and OSPREY is one of them. He's one of whom I would take his word as gospel, no matter what the subject. And if it involves fishing, I consider him devine intervention.
Thanks OSPREY!

Iflyfish - 7-28-2008 at 10:44 AM

One of the great joys of BajaNomads, wonderful pictures!!

Thanks,

Iflyfish

tripledigitken - 7-28-2008 at 10:47 AM

Great shot Woody. How close were you?


Ken

woody with a view - 7-29-2008 at 06:19 AM

we rolled up to a stop about 60-70 feet away.

Martyman - 7-29-2008 at 10:06 AM

I saw little bird in the topic heading. Little Bird!! That is the kick a** perigrine falcon. One of the, if not the most, baddest birds in nature. They can dive bomb at over 800 mph (not really...but it looks like it) If I was a perigrine and you called me a little bird I would dive bomb you and steal your hairpiece.:fire:

woody with a view - 7-29-2008 at 10:09 AM

i meant little as opposed to the vultures. it's all relative, hairpiece not withstanding!!

BajaHawk - 7-29-2008 at 06:42 PM

There has been some debate over the top speed of the Peregrine, it is the fastest animal alive - unless you consider humans in jet airplanes.

This YouTube link explains some research done on the Peregrine Falcon's top speeds. Not the researchers just over the one minute mark - nothing like a cold one, those are my kind of "scientest".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M59UwlOlmg

Enjoy!

elgatoloco - 7-29-2008 at 06:47 PM

Great shots woody! Thanks!

woody with a view - 7-30-2008 at 06:14 AM

great link bajahawk. that's a very cool bird....

Martyman - 7-30-2008 at 08:12 AM

242 mph. That's almost as fast as my 40 caballos johnson.
Heh Heh...he said johnson