Bird id help

[dukhnt]

I know my waterfowl like the back of my hands. Other birds are a different matter. What do we have here? Thanks!

[Scott M]

Looks like a Cooper's Hawk to me, but I'm no raptor expert.

[Steve Foss]

American hawks are broken into three basic groups: falcons, accipiters and buteos.

Falcons are pointed-winged speedsters, among the fastest birds that fly. They include the peregrine and prairie falcons, as well as the merlin and kestrel, among others.

Accipters are short-winged, long-tailed woodland hawks and include the sharp-shinned, Cooper's and goshawks.

Buteos are large and stocky, and include the red-tailed, rough-legged, Swainson's and many others.

These birds are merlins.

And, by the way, excellent capture of a dramatic moment. Given your other post from the North Shore in the photo sharing board, I reckon that's where this came from?

[dukhnt]

You are correct Steve. Taken from the island which is now a peninsula at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There were three of them buzzing around. They are sure quick, tough to get photos of them. Thanks for the id.

[Scott M]

Quote:

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These birds are merlins.

And, by the way, excellent capture of a dramatic moment. Given your other post from the North Shore in the photo sharing board, I reckon that's where this came from?

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Wow merlins. Like I said, I'm no raptor expert, but that is pretty cool. Aren't those pretty rare? Now is the time to see them with the migration though.

Great photo!

[Steve Foss]

Merlins aren't rare in Minnesota, and even rare or uncommon raptors funnel through along the North Shore in decent numbers during migration.

[brassman]

I have been seeing a lot of birds flying overhead, that maybe due to me being right under their migration. warm days like today are big ones for the birds, the heat allows them to get high, and I mean way up there.