Sorry to top post my own message, but... Now there are two different peregrine falcons that visit the backyard regularly. One is banded but I haven't gotten close enough to get the number off the band. The other is not banded ... now that it is Spring, could this be a mate? In any case, I reported the information on the banded bird as above, and will be watching to see if I have any other substantial information to send to the banding studies. The unbanded bird seems to have great hunting skills. It hangs out in a little hiding hole on the fence during the last 2 hours of daylight, very patiently and still, then systematically dives into nearby evergreen shrubs to try and catch a meal. It was successful tonight. I love it.

There is a wonderful webcam site for peregrine falcons at the link below. My husband actually saw one of these birds with a pigeon in the city one time. I haven't been that lucky, but I do enjoy following them on the webcam! The falcons currently have 4 eggs. Make sure to refresh the screen when you first puul up the site to get the most current image. Here is a link that might be useful: NYS DEC Falcon Cam

Cool info Roy! Thanks I lead Beginner Birding Tours at a Wildlife Refuge here in Central Fl. Always ask my guests if they know why many bird species fly in those V formations. Most people do know but a guy on one of my tours last year asked me if I noticed that often, one side of the V is longer-and why is that. I said yes, I did notice, but that I didn't know why. He said "It's because there are more birds on that side".

I hate to see them chained too. I have a coopers hawk that visits my yard every morning to catch his meal. Sometimes at dusk too. Got to see him catch a dove one morning. Awesome. Just recently he caught one by it running into my sliding door. I had to peek out to see him take it, in the meantime, I was able to get three photos. Thanks for the labels for the birds, wasn't sure on the kestrel.