IBRC 60-B-09

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Gyrfalcon
HOW MANY: one juvenile, fermale Gray phase

REPORTER: Keith Carlson 2018 14th St Lewiston, ID 83501 208-746-7322
REPORTER EMAIL: kec201814@cableone.net
OTHER OBSERVERS: Jerry Cebula first found on 31 October 2009 Seen again in flight by Terry Gray 2 November 2009

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 2 November 2009

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 31 October, 1-2 November 2009
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: Bever Road, Nez Perce county North of Mann Lake HABITAT: Wheat stubble fields, power line 3-500 yards North of Mann Lake
CONDITIONS: 10-15 minutes 0705-0717 PST Overcast, light wind, 40 degrees First seen at 200 yards, then as close as 35 yards in flight, 75 yards on utility pole. Zeiss 10x40 Canon 50D DSLR w Canon 400mm L f5.6

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRDS David Sibley HAWKS OF NORTH AMERICA Clark & Wheeler

DESCRIPTION: Large falcon, stocky body, pointed wings, heavily streaked breast, overall brownish gray, faint moustache
BEHAVIOR: First seen on ground in wheat stubble field at 200 yards, probably on kill. Flew away from my position, but came back over me at 35-40 yards and then landed on large utility pole. Two Common Ravens flew by- much smaller

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? When it flew over me. Two tone underwing pattern, streaked breast, long tail and large size ID'd as Gyrfalcon
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Red-tailed Hawk,Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon and Goshawk are similar and can be found in oue area at this time of year. Shape of wings and tail and heavily steaked breast eliminate both buteos. Larger than Peregrine and Prairie Falcons and underwing two-tone pattern with no dark axcillaris eliminate them in flight. On perch, the length of tail (much longer than wings)also indicates Gyrfalcon. Bird was larger than most buteos we see , indicating female Gyrfalcon. Extremely strong flight pattern 30-50 feet above ground with slow, powerful wing beats unlike Goshawk

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Have seen four Gyrfalcons, three in this same vicinity and one in Asotin county, Washington
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Experienced birder, off and on for 50+ years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo

These images are the original files submitted with the report.