Green Backed Heron - Bird photography and identification
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlin
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlin
Photo description
Here is a comparison of the tail patterns on an accipiter left and falcon right. Both hunt and eat other birds. The sharpie more by stealthiness and quickness and the Merlin more by sheer power. Also note the long wing projection and streamlined look of the Merlin. This is birdings equivalent of an Indy race car...
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Tags for this photo
Sharp-shinned Hawk Merlin Duluth Hawk Ridge Minnesota Falco columbarius Accipiter striatus
2 comments have been posted about this photo

And I see the Merlin STILL seems only interested in clobbering the Sharpie. Good thing neither one of those species is any bigger or there would be no other animals left living on the planet.
Posted on Jan 16, 2007
skytang says:
Great comparison. Love to see those tail markings next to each other. Thanks for this shot.
Posted on May 26, 2007
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