Two Peregrine Falcons in Twin Lakes

[Sylvia Ramos]

**EDITED THIS TO CORRECT THE ID!**

Sharing this action sequence that we got to witness. Plus a bonus lesson.

We withessed an exciting action sequence between two Peregrine Falcons where one bird passed the prey that it held in its claws to a second bird by releasing it in mid-flight. The second bird caught the prey. According to Christian Artuso who was with us and is more familiar with Oriental Hobbies , the two birds were likely to be a pair. He said it is common behavior to see one bird passing food to the second bird and for the second bird to fly upside down so it can receive the food in its claws.

The bonus lesson: Bring your gear! I didn't bring my big lens that morning and regretted it!

Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus ernesti


18 April 2015, Twin Lakes, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental



iso 2000, f 7.1, 1/2000



Bottom bird is ready to receive the prey.
iso 1600, f 8, 1/1600



But the top bird didn't give it, bottom bird flipped over to do a mid-air catch instead. 
iso 1600, f8, 1/1600


Gotcha!
Iso 1600, f8, 1/1600

Equipment: Canon 7DM2 + Canon 100-400 v2, handheld

[des]

They look like Falco peregrinus ernesti to me...

[Sylvia Ramos]

Thanks Des. Is it the color? Oriental Hobby should be redder?
Will edit the post.

[Tateo Osawa]

Very nice documentation shots, Sylvia. Congratulations!

[Romy Ocon]

Great job on documenting a very interesting behavior, Sylvia!

[Nilo Arribas Jr.]

Good to know this behaviour via images. Thanks for sharing, Sylvia!