Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Very large and heavy bird with heavy bill and rounded tail with straight outer tail-feathers. Both sexes lack wing-bars. Males much bigger than females. Plumage mostly black with brown wings and yellowish bill. Females mottled brown with brick-red breast, throat and chin. Lower back greyish, contrasting with rufous, heavily barred, tail.
Sound:Display-sounds from male unmistakable. Four phased song: First a slow introductory, double-tapping phase which suddenly bursts into an accelerating crescendo followed by a distinct pop. Then closing with grinding and hissing sounds. Female calls with a deep nasal "kok kok".
Song/display:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSmallest 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:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC