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Posted by Rafael A. Galvez on 20:16:07 10/27/10
In Reply to: Peregrine Falcon plumage details posted by Robin
Great stuff as always Robin!
A great encounter with a first year Peregrine!
Interesting individual - a variant of the "tundrius" group I'd dare say - at the dark end of the spectrum. I'd love to see more pictures if you got any. The leggings and the chest appear to be at the paler end of "tundrius", in terms of density of markings, yet the extent of dark plumage on the head extending to the crown (typically pale in tundrius), the rusty coloration on the upper cheek, the overall dark tail (with what appear to be faint rusty bars), along with the rusty tones on the edges of the juvenile upper feathers are more reminiscent of "anatum".
One has to wonder how much of the Peregrine genetic pool was stirred through the process of bringing back the species from the brink of extirpation.
We are so incredibly privileged in South Florida to see so many of these awesome birds.
At the Curry Hammock Hawkwatch, during a good Peregrine day, it is amazing the variation one witnesses in the plumage of this species, both in adults and juvenile birds.
Great digibin shots!
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