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Peregrine Falcon or Redtail Hawk?

Original Post
Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

On top of S Dino Egg in the Flatirons about 3 weeks ago.

kpbo · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 30

Prairie Falcon

wufpak18 Martin · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 15

Prairie Falcon for sure. Peregrine's have a larger and darker 'mustache' as well as overall darker body marks. It also appears to be eating some sort of small mammal which is the Prairie Falcon speciality compared to the Peregrine that specializes in avian prey.

J. Albers · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,926

Wow, damn cool photo. Beautiful bird.

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Thank you all very much! I have been trying to figure this out for a while! I was not even considering the correct bird.

I live in Downtown Denver ( 5 points ) and it never ceases to amaze me the wildlife encounters I have in the Flatirons, many trailheads being less than a half hour from my front door. This was an after work scamper.

This bird did not like us being up there and even more it did not like the other birds flying around. It let out many screetches at all of us. It was also very large.

I'm guessing the thing in its tallons is either a squirrel or a prairie dog, too small to be a chipmunk.

John mac · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 105

I was hoping this was a who would win in a fight kind of thing

wufpak18 Martin · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 15

Peregrine for sure!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpz66RYD110

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Sorry John, I'll try to dig up the photo of the Pacific Giant Octopus I saw on top of the 3rd Flatriron but in the mean time check this out.

youtube.com/watch?v=p9A-oxU…

Link wont embed for some reason. Search google for shark vs octopus, its worth it.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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