First year (immature) Grey Phase Gyrfalcon ( 3 shots)

[Gary Fairhead]

I photographed this bird 2 Saturdays ago during a sudden freak snow storm ( lasted about 20 minutes). It was being mobbed by crows but stood its ground ( branch) for several minutes. I could not identify the bird and one of the guys at work who is an avid/expert birder took a look at two photos ( first and second). His identification is in my title ...a first year grey phase Gyrfalcon. These birds range from grey to white and it was thought at one time that there were 3 species but its now known that there is but one species with different phases.

I know there are some members here who have a knack for identifying predatory birds so I am opening this to discussion if anyone has any other theories. The Gyrfalcon is a fairly rare bird even in its range and is the largest of the falcons.

Just a reminder that the wihite stuff is snow...........:)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/More%20shots/Hawk1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/More%20shots/57494888.jpg


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/More%20shots/Gyrfalcon.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm no expert on the gyrfalcon.. but I think your right.
Wow,. lucky you!

[reewik]

Man It is going to be like 70 degrees tomorrow here... Looks cold... Great capture!

[dancinec]

Man It is going to be like 70 degrees tomorrow here... Looks cold... Great capture!I think we will only get up to 68 degrees, but somehow will survive. Fascinating info on the gyrafalcon and great captures.

[Gary Fairhead]

Thanks CDS, Eric and Dennis for looking and commenting. I have returned to the area several times to find a Red Tailed Hawk but this guy was no where in sight.

[stevefossimages]

Your bird ID is right. Gyrfalcon. Great that you got that close to make those captures. Falcons are among the toughest birds to get good shots of. Fast as can be and plenty wary. Good job.

[Dimitri_V]

You are a very lucky man Gary,i didn`t even know that this name existed.
Cool captures.

[cfcRebel]

Man, you guys have all the cool birds up there. Very nice captures Gary.

[busbyea]

Nice series of another rarity. Well done Gary.

[Gary Fairhead]

Your bird ID is right. Gyrfalcon. Great that you got that close to make those captures. Falcons are among the toughest birds to get good shots of. Fast as can be and plenty wary. Good job.

That confirmation is music to my ears Steve..thanks for taking the time.:D

And thanks to Dimitri, Fee and Ted:D

[Blue Deuce]

How fortunate that you saw him and also got a shot of. Never heard of one either for what thats worth.

[Wayne Wood]

Gary these are awesome what a thrill to get these ,,, is this the Clyde woods Gryfalcon ?

[Stephen Stephen]

Congratulations Gary! What a great series to add to your collection.

[clivingston]

What a sighting. Again you have put together a wonderful series,thanks for sharing.

[ngannet]

Definitely a Gyr. What luck! I'm truly jealous. Nice shots, how awesome to see that bird. That is like the 'holy grail' of raptor enthusiasts down here as we rarely get them in NJ. As I understand, they are not commonly seen anywhere really.

[Poggi]

Great work Gary!

[Gary Fairhead]

Thank you Blue , Stephen, Chris and Poggi for the positive feedback...much appreciated:D

liv2trip Gary these are awesome what a thrill to get these ,,, is this the Clyde woods Gryfalcon ?

Thanks Wayne

My fellow birder at work who identified it for me, thought I had taken the photo in the Clyde Woods/ Experimemtal Farm area but I actualy found this guy at Billings Bridge. He was surprised..however these falcons do like ducks among many other prey and Billings does have a lot of those :D

When I got there that morning.I noticed Canada Geese had arrived and was heading in that direction when the crow mobbing got my attention ( always investigate crows when they are working hard at harrasing) and there he was....just as the snow started coming down wet and heavy ( on my new canera:mad: ) I had no idea what this raptor was...just shoot and ask questions later:D I saw a Common Merganser just up the river from there with Ted last weekend and I have seen a red tailed hawk twice there in the last 2 weeks as well as a fox ( posted), groundhogs and Muskrats,,,lots of Beaver activity on the trees as wel .

ngannet Definitely a Gyr. What luck! I'm truly jealous. Nice shots, how awesome to see that bird. That is like the 'holy grail' of raptor enthusiasts down here as we rarely get them in NJ. As I understand, they are not commonly seen anywhere rea

Thanks N and luck it is as I certainly was not looking for a Gyrfalcon at the time . I did not know what I had and my four guides concentrate on the White Phase of the bird and only one shows a drawing of a dark phase so I skipped pretty fast past that ID in the guides. I was hoping you would see this thread and comment on it because I know you know your Raptors and your confirmation and others makes me very comfortable now that this is in fact a Gyrfalcon...the falcon of Medieval Kings I just read and they breed along Arctic rivers, very rarely coming this far south.....cool Thanks again!...and yeah,,everytime i go back to that spot I am looking for a Gyrfalcon:D

[LazyPhotographer]

Congrats! Wonderful catch too....

[Gary Fairhead]

Congrats! Wonderful catch too....

Thanks Lazy for looking and commenting :D And if it wasn't for the rain this morning I would be back at that spot looking again. I am not sure how much longer this bird will remain in the area and it may have already headed back north as we have had very warm weather for this time of year and the snow is all but gone.:cool:

[stevefossimages]

Gyrfalcons are arctic tundra nesters. They are North America's largest falcon. Most are gray, but there are occasional black or white morphs. I'd love to see a white one. They do tend to move somewhat south in winter, commonly wintering as far south as the southern tip of Hudson Bay. However, while they are not at all frequently seen, during spring migration is a good time to look for them along the ridges and shores that hawks use to migrate, and my Sibley guide shows sightings all along the northern and central tier of the United States. When I used to count hawks during spring migration along a river that borders Minnesota and North Dakota, we'd see one every year or two.

As an aside, there are two bird guides that I have come to value as good friends. In the 35 years I've been birding, I have found no other guides as comprehensive and detailed as these. They show many views of different color phases and age plumages for each species. They can stay in the car, but if you're going to carry them around with you you'll need a pack, because they are about twice the size of the regular field guides.

They are the Sibley Guide to Birds, published by the National Audubdon Society, and its companion, the Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. They're pricy as guides go, running about $35 each. But no other field guides even come close, and I have used them all. (No, I'm not paid by Sibley. ;) )

[Gary Fairhead]

Steve...thanks for taking the time to provide some excelent information on this species...much appreciated. Your reccommendation on the Sibley's guides echoes what every serious birder has told me in regards to guides. Sibleys it seems is the all round favourite. Your recommendation seals it. My next purchase on line will be these two guides so make sure you pick up your commission;)

[Reigh Higgins]

Nice capture of a beautiful falcon Gary !! Thanks for sharing.

[Colin Morey]

Lovely animal, and the pose in the first shot is great, I would probably have put my camera away with that ammount of falling snow.

[dancad]

Very fortunate of you to photograph one, let alone see one...A highlight sighting for you so far for sure!