I don't think any of the three merlins photographed in this thread qualify as Black (Pacific) Merlin. Sibley depicts Bblack Merlin as having more black than white on underparts from chest to vent and an almost completely black helmet. I think these are female Taiga merlins on the dark end of the spectrum.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins
On Mar 17, 2021, at 12:53 PM, Susan Rosine <u5b2mtdna@gmail.com> wrote:
--CORRECTION the year was 2020SusanBrightonOn Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 12:50 PM Susan Rosine <u5b2mtdna@gmail.com> wrote:Here's a confirmed Black Merlin I photographed at Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR (Adams County) back on April 17, 2021. Hope the photos help.On Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 11:41 AM John Shenot <johnshenot@gmail.com> wrote:Dave et al.,I photographed a very dark Merlin a few miles from there (Prospect Ponds) in January that I also thought might be Pacific race, but lacking your experience and ID skills I was reluctant to report it as such. See photo on eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S79421827. Maybe it's the same bird and it's been hanging around all winter? What's the normal range for a wintering Merlin?John ShenotFort Collins, CO--On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:59:09 AM UTC-6 Dave Leatherman wrote:Yesterday at Fort Collins City Park I was checking Sheldon Lake from the boardwalk when a small falcon flew past carrying prey. I tracked this bird down in an elm northeast of the lake and discovered a very dark Merlin eating what I think was a mostly headless European Starling (blackish bird with speckles and long pink legs with giant pink feet). As with accipiters, apparently the sweetbreads get consumed first.
I am thinking this is a dark (Pacific) subspecies, which I've only seen a couple times in Colorado. Any comments on whether it is a Pacific vs. Taiga welcome. I definitely don't think this individual is our typical Prairie subspecies.
The storm seems to have pushed a good number of Cassin's Finches into the City Park/Grandview Cemetery area. The Spotted Towhee (two of them) that have wintered in the block of neighborhood east of the cemetery are singing off and on. Big infusion of robins of late. Tree damage has been significant but the moisture will soon create 6-foot-tall daffodils I suspect.
As an aside, I was told my presentation given recently to Fort Collins Audubon Society about the cemetery was recorded and put on YouTube. For anyone interested who was unable to attend live, go to the FCAS website for access details.
Dave LeathermanFort Collins
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