Nesting Raptors

by Pat
(London, Ontario, Canada)

In the center of London, Ontario, in a tree in the yard that backs on to mine, two raptors are building a nest in a large tree.

I live on Gladstone Avenue.

They are not like other raptors I've seen around here, these are sleeker, blueish black backs and top of head, white markings on the face, brownish almost red or rusty coloured underbelly.

Hello Pat, I have no idea what the birds could be, but I'm hoping one of our readers will be able to identify these birds for you, I must admit, I am curious to know what they could be!

Comments for Nesting Raptors

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Re: Two birds of prey
by: Anonymous

Hello Pat, I believe what you may have seen like the anonymous person commented were Merlins. You did not specify the size of these birds, if they were smaller, then you had probably observed Merlins, if they were bigger then you had probably observed either Broad-Winged Hawks, or Coopers Hawks as they have these markings and are rusty brownish, or red under their bellies. Hope this helps you.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Large bird in London, Ont
by: Monique

I saw that bird today. It was on the side of the road as I drove past. It was around Cheapside and Highbury Avenue around 10 am. I came home and was trying to google it when I found this site. The bird was larger than any other bird I have ever seen. There are rumours around London of Bald Eagles... don't think it was one of those... the head was brown.
Hi Monique, yes there are Bald Eagles in this area, some nest at Fanshawe Conservation Area, and I have seen Balds at the Guy Lombardo Bridge over the Thames on Wonderland Road, and saw one at my place (on the outskirts of St Thomas) last week. Also, young Bald Eagles don't get the distinctive white head until around their 4th or 5th year, so it could have been a juvenile you saw, or perhaps it was a Turkey Vulture as the side of the road is a fairly likely place to see one of those - thanks for writing to us!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		saw them :D
by: Rennay

I think I just saw these two! I'm on Veronica Ave in London. Just moved here and am sitting on my balcony and saw a bird of prey flying, then another! They looked quite big to me but I'm not an expert by any means lol. Very cool though :D
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nesting Raptors
by: Anonymous

You didn't mention their size. If they are on the small size they might be Merlins. The male has a blue-grey back and crown. Rusty legs and feathers underneath.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Birds of Prey sightings 2012 & 2013.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.