Species:

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

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Length (cm):
63-73
25-30
Wingspan (cm):
134-154
50-62
Weight (gram):
1500-2250
125-300
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Thrush-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

May be confused with Ruddy Shelduck, but differs in long, pinkish legs, pink bill, long neck, greyish underparts and striking, brown mask. Conspicuous black and white wing pattern similar to Ruddy Shelduck, but crossed with a thin, black stripe. Sexes similar. Immature duller and without facial mask, and thus closer to RS in appearance. Spends much time foraging while walking, but may also dive. Flight heavy and goose-like.

Sound:

Quite vocal when interacting. Female calls may resemble RS, but are coarser, harder and trills are more rolling. Single calls are longer, and falls markedly in pitch. Male calls quite different, with husky, wheezing or hissing "kaahhh", or with the same timbre in series lika a steam engine.

Male:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:berniedup, Licence,Link.

CC-sound:Lars Lachmann, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Björn S..., Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Smallest falcon. Male with slate grey upperparts, and pinkish buff, speckled underparts . Female dark brown above and heavily speckled below. Due to the extensive markings, the underparts give a darker impression than in Kestrel. Tail of female with dark broad bands, tail of male with broad black terminal band. Diffuse facial markings. Short wings. Silhouette similar to Peregrine, but the much faster wing beats are diagnostic. Acrobatic flight with sharp twist and turns when chasing prey. Alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats gives undulating flight.

Sound:

Series of harsh "kwik-wik wik". Coarseness similar to Peregrine, but pace much quicker. Female call harsher than male. Lacking the clearer tones and attack of Kestrel.

Alarm call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Thijs Fijen, Licence,Link.

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Duck-like
Silhouette
Raptors
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file