ID Quiz - June 11, 2020

It's a Merlin!

The black eyes suggest that this bird is in the falcon family, as opposed to any similar-looking hawks. The dark streaking, weak "mustache" and dark tail with thin white bands eliminate Peregrine Falcon or American Kestrel (and rarer options), leaving us with Merlin. They are not very abundant during the summer in PA, but they do nest in small numbers.

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