There are three falcon species that fly over the Toronto raptor watches in the fall period: American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon. These falcons add lots of personality and fierceness to any day of migration.
The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest raptor. It is a colourful, small, long-trailed falcon. It breeds in the boreal forests and winters from the southern US into Panama. These falcons migrate in September and October. Kestrels are mainly solitary and we usually see them flying by themselves. As they fly past, they are watching for prey. Many times, I have seen them flying, while eating a dragonfly. They hold it in a talon and lift it to their beak, as a child would eat a lollipop. Recently, there were dragonflies patrolling the spot where we had our watch. One Kestrel dropped out of the sky and almost grabbed one. Our collective gasp of surprise to see the falcon’s maneuver may have caused it to miss its snack.
Female American Kestrel
The Merlin is a small, dashing falcon, about the same size as a Kestrel. But, it is more robust looking and has a shorter tail. Merlins migrate during September and October. The Merlin is a fast flyer. If a falcon speeds past, not allowing you any time to call it out, you know a Merlin has gone by the watch. They have a fierce nature, too. At one watch I used to attend, there was a fake owl placed near the viewing platform. One of the more experienced raptor watchers said that any Merlin worthy of that name wouldn’t miss an opportunity to buzz the owl. I was lucky enough to see that happen more than once. At a recent watch, a Merlin was flying overhead. A small flock of Blue Jays came into view. They saw the Merlin, turned back, and hid in the trees. They knew not to challenge that bird-catching machine.
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is a large to medium-sized raptor. Its robust body, long wings, and large feet make it a formidable predator. Fall migration is from September to mid-December. These birds may hug the coastline of the lake, but they are strong enough to migrate offshore. I have seen Peregrines fly away from shore and head out over Lake Ontario. Just like the previous story of the Merlin and the jays, I have seen Peregrines flying over the watch and songbirds zipping into the shelter of the trees.
Falcons are another raptor that keeps the hawk watchers fascinated and entertained through the fall season.
Note: All photos are from Wikipedia Commons, an online source of copyright-free photos: Merlin (at top of article) by Just a Prairie Boy from Calgary, AB, Canada; American Kestrel by Andrew Dimler; Peregrine (in Toronto) by Mykola Swarnyk.
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