Wildlife April 2010

[mark smyth]

lots of swallows, martins and warblers in now. Two weeks and the swifts will be here

[Arykana]

looking for there name

[Lori S.]

2.  American robin, Turdus migratorius.
3.  Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis.

Have to think about #1.  I assume it's a North American bird, too?  It appears to be fairly short-tailed, so possibly a female merlin, Falco columbarius?

[Anthony Darby]

Where on the planet were they photographed? If the names are correct, certainly not Hungary!

[TC]

I would guess that the first picture is of a Prairie Merlin

[Maggi Young]

Where on the planet were they photographed? If the names are correct, certainly not Hungary!

Anthony, Erika has recently returned from a trip to the US of America 

[TC]

lots of swallows, martins and warblers in now. Two weeks and the swifts will be here

Mark
They have arrived in the UK.  Today there were 3 noted.  In Wales, Bucks. and Lancs. If the wind changes to the South they could be with you shortly.

[mark smyth]

swifts? Where did you hear/read the records?

[Lori S.]

I would guess that the first picture is of a Prairie Merlin

Is Prairie Merlin the common name used in the UK for Falco columbarius, or is it for another species?  (Just wondering, as we also have "prairie falcons", Falco mexicanus, although the bird in the photo lacks the facial patterning of that species.)  The common name for F. columbarius here is just "merlin"... at least so far the vintage of our most recent bird guides!  ... Although I may well be out of date, as I must admit I have been surprised to find that common names, and even species names, have been revised for several North American birds.... almost as bad as plants!  

[Maggi Young]

 Prairie falcon merlin = Falco columbarius richardsonii  ?? (corrected!)

[Lori S.]

I'm sure you meant, "Prairie merlin = Falco columbarius richardsonii"...  If so, I see!  Theoretically, that would be the subspecies that occurs here, if it's still considered valid...  and it does appear to be (http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/raptors/Merlin.html).  Must admit I have never heard or seen (I guess noticed is the better term!) "prairie" merlin used.  
http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=EN&avibaseid=40B230606774AF67&sec=summary

[Arykana]

Thanks a lot! I have got them on my camera at Mayersville, MD and I was told  total different names 

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks a lot! I have got them on my camera at Mayersville, MD and I was told  total different names 

Thanks Erica/Maggi.

Falco columbarius is just called the 'Merlin' here in the UK.

[TC]

Mark
Google Birdguides and join-it's free. They have a daily report of all sightings in the UK and Ireland on a rolling basis.  Two more Swift reports from yesterday.  One from Notts. and one from S. Yorkshire

Sibley's  "the North American bird guide" names three Merlins  Falco columbarius

PACIFIC (BLACK). Falco suckleyi          Pacific coast as far as Mexico.  As name indicates, very dark in colour

TAIGA                Falco columbarius     Not Pacific and Great Plains.     Dark plumage but not as dark as PACIFIC      

PRAIRIE              Falco richardsonii     Canada to Mexico.          Light brown plumage.

I consulted Sibley's, Handbook of the Birds of the World and the National Geographics birdguide.  Sibley's have the illustration closest to the picture.

[mark smyth]

Tom I know the Bird Guides web site but where do I find sighting?