Another Mystery Raptor Attack

Last Saturday Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, had an experience very similar to ours: a raptor taking down a bird right outside his house. Also similar: some confusion, and considerable discussion, as to what species the raptor in question is (in his case, red-tailed vs. Cooper’s hawk).

It’s been three weeks since our own raptor experience and we’re still not entirely sure what bird it was: neither peregrine falcons nor merlins are really supposed to be here, especially at this time of year. On balance we still think it’s a peregrine, due to the size of the bird and the fact that merlins are supposed to be migratory, but we’re a long way from metaphysical certitude on this issue.