Raptor Identification - A Tough One
January 15, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Matt MacGillivray Reports:
CPF received a photo identification request a few weeks ago of this incredible raptor. It was taken near Banff Alberta, (Exshaw to be exact), on January 2nd 2010 by David Mitchell. Any ideas? It’s a tough one.
This photo looks like a lot of raptors, but it is actually a Gyrfalcon. As described by Mark Nash - while not common - (at least here in the east and south), the Gyrfalcon is North America’s largest falcon species. We (and you should see a few of them on migration at this time of year) as they pass down from the far north to the southern areas from wintering. You do actually have resident Gyrfalcons out in the prairie’s in your neck of the woods that hang around in the late fall and winter. They migrate back to the Canadian north for breeding season in the spring. They come in many different colour morphs from jet black to white to gray to silver in colour.
Incredible photo Dave. Thanks so much for sharing.
Photo by Dave Mitchell (copyright)