Peale's Peregrine Falcon - Oh-hayabusa - Japan

[David in Miyazaki]

Saw this bird in Arasaki, Izumi Shi, Kagoshima Ken, Japan on 28 Feb 08. I was told by a Japanese birder who was also taking photos of it, that he had been told that this was an Oh-hayabusa, which when I checked after I got home is Falco peregrinus pealei . This bird is not on any Japanese bird list that I can make out, and that was also what this gentleman said. It has obviously been seen in Japan before, as there is a Japanese name for it, and this man was able to identify it. The skull cap is almost complete. I would be interested in any comment from folk, both on its identification, and also on its rarity in Japan.

the link to two photos is
http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=5884

[lostinjapan]

Hey David

This is a famous bird. It is a female bird and one of the largest races of Peregrine. A pair have been returning to the area for many years.

Sean