REPORT OF AN OBSERVATION OF BARBARY FALCON Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides IN AGDZ (MOROCCO) ON DECEMBER 2010

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1 REPORT OF AN OBSERVATION OF BARBARY FALCON Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides IN AGDZ (MOROCCO) ON DECEMBER 2010 Beneharo Rodríguez 1 and Nazaret Carrasco 1 C/La Malecita S/N, Buenavista del Norte 38480, S/C de Tenerife, Canary Islands. benerguez@terra.es Introduction Some authors have considered the Barbary Falcon as a subspecies of Peregrine (F. p. pelegrinoides), while others have treated it as a separate species, including two subspecies, F. pelegrinoides pelegrinoides and F. p. babylonicus. Genetically they seem to be very similar to other Peregrine forms (Wink et al., 2000), but morphologically they present very distinctively size and coloration pattern (Forsman, 1999). In recent years, mixed pairs (Barbary x F. p. brookei) and individuals presenting intermediate coloration pattern between these falcons have been observed in several locations (Rodríguez et al., 2009). In this sense, a new form called atlantis has been proposed to designate some intermediate coloured individuals between F. p. brookei and Barbary observed in Morocco (Schollaert & Gilles, 2000). In this country coexist F.p. brookei, F.p. minor and F.p. pelegrinoides as breeders, and F.p. perergrinus and F.p. calidus as winter visitors (Thévenot et al., 2003). Due to the complex systematic of these races the precise distribution in Morocco is inadequately known (Thévenot et al., 2003). As Go-South ( has implemented a webpage dedicated to Peregrines / Barbary Falcons in Morocco, we think that it could be of interest consider the observation of a Barbary Falcon observed and photographed in the proximities of Agdz. Observation details It take place near Agdz (UTM 29R / ) on 10 December 2010 from 15:05 to 15:25 local time. The weather conditions were totally covered by clouds but without wind. The bird could be observed at a distance ranging from 40 to 150 meters. Binoculars 10x42 and a 400 mm telelens was employed during observation. Descriptions (see attached pictures Figs. 1-6) The bird seem to be a juvenile born in this year. However it presented an advanced moult pattern according to the described by Forsman (1999). It showed all typical head characters of Barbary Falcon (Figs. 2,3,4 and 5): thin moustache, large white cheeks, small black areas under the eyes and cheek, pale superciliary stripe, pale forehead, rufous or paler patches in nape (Rodríguez et al. in press). Furthermore the upper breast was totally moulted, presenting no black spots, and the breast was finely striked in the typical fashion of Barbary (Fig. 5). In the back, it showed recently moulted blue adult feathers (Figs. 1,2 and 6). According to its small size it could be accurately sexed as a male. References Forsman, D The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East: A Handbook of Field Identification. T & A Poyser, London.

2 Rodríguez, B., Siverio, F., Siverio, M., Rodríguez, A. & Hernández, J.J Pasado y presente del halcón de Berbería en las islas Canarias. El Indiferente 20: Rodríguez, B., Siverio, F., Siverio, M. & Rodríguez, A. (Submmitted). Variable plumage colouration of Barbary Falcons Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides breeding in the Canary Islands: are present other Peregrine subspecies? Schollaert, V. & Gilles, W Taxonomy of the peregrine Falco peregrinus/barbary falcon F. (peregrinus) pelegrinoides complex in Morocco. Bull. Afr. Bird Cl. 7: Thévenot, M., Vernon, R. & Bergier, P The birds of Marocco. BOU Checklist Series: 20. British Ornithologists Union & British Ornithologists Club. Tring. Wink, M., Döttlinger, H., Nicholls, M. K. & Sauer-Gürth, H Phylogenetic relationships between Black Shaheen Falco peregrinus peregrinator, Red-naped Shaheen F. pelegrinoides babylonicus and Peregrines F. peregrinus. Pp in Chancellor, R. D. & Meyburg, B. -U. (Eds.) Raptors at Risk. WWGBP/Hancock House, Berlin, London and Paris. Fig. 1. Dorsal-lateral view of the young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December Note several moulted feathers on back.

3 Fig. 2 Several views of the young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December 2010.

4 Fig. 3. Lateral view of the young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December Note the large white cheek, thin moustache and rufous patches on nape. Fig. 4. Ventral view of the young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December Note the upper breast almost totally moulted.

5 Fig. 5. Ventral view of the young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December Observed the thin lines of the breast and the upper breast.

6 Fig. 6. The young Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides observed in Agdz on 10 December 2010 in flight.