Radisson - 2014 / Smiley & Princess

[des]

Thanks for all the tips on IDing Smiley and Princess.
Terrific!

[Saoirse]

Thanks a million, TPC! I haven't spent as much time observing this year, will be glad of the detailed descriptions, particularly of Smiley. I like to think I'd be able to recognize Princess, but . . .   

[Sue]

Well, that was interesting.  Chicks left alone briefly and start complaining, both adults arrive and have a "conversation", then Smiley takes off and Princess settles on the chicks. Very different sounds from the two adults.

[bccs]

Moka, go back two posts, it's there. 

[moka]

For a first time Dad, this guy is amazing. He's been on the nest for a couple of hours now. He is hovering, not sitting on the chicks, he has his back to the sun so the kids aren't exposed to the direct sun and they are not too hot.
Hardwiring kicking in at it's finest.

Smiley, you rock.  

For anyone who is interested, I have discovered a sure fire way to distinguish Princess and Smiley when all you can see is the back of them.

It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop... tell us!

[birdcamfan]

TPC, Thanks, that's what I call an in-depth description. You're attention to detail could teach our news media a few lessons!

[bccs]

Okay, here's what I have observed.
When the birds are on the chicks, Smiley has his left wing tip over his right. Princess is just the opposite, right over left.
Princess hunkers down while on the nest, Smiley is more upright, sort of like an on guard pose.
When you can see them face on, Smiley's malar stripes appear squared off and rectangular while Princess's are more rounded.

[The Peregrine Chick]

There a few ways to tell Princess from Smiley (other than her personality), not always fool-proof depending on light, location & how their feathers are sitting ... however, here are a couple of things to look for if you are so inclined ...

• Princess is still larger than Smiley though definitely harder to tell because he is larger than Ivy was
• Overall colouration - he's darker than she is overall - she's always had lighter-coloured markings on her head and she's older and her feathers are more light slate-grey than dark slate-grey
• Head patterns - Smiley's head is uniformly dark, no markings though sometimes you can see the lighter-coloured under-feathers all peregrines have. Princess has her crown which this year is more roughed-up, less crown-like - with their back to you you can see their heads usually. 
• Breast patterns - Princess has speckles higher up on her breast which granted is hard to see when she's on the eggs/chicks, so look up the sides of her breast by her wings - you can usually spot speckles high up the sides - Smiley doesn't have those. 
• Facial pattern - often you can spot a white band across the "bridge" of Smiley's beak, Princess' isn't as evident unless the light is right; they both have decently sized and irregularly shaped cheek patches, problem is facial feathers move around as the birds move so unless there is something very distinctive - like T-Rex's full black cap or Princess' crown, feathers patterns are a tricky thing to use for identification
• Leg bands - unless you can read the numbers, the bands won't help you much they both have black/green bands on their left legs and anodized purple bands on their right legs. And when they are in the nestbox, they tend to stay low so hard to see their feet

Anyone else have other distinguishing characteristics to share?

[allikat]

Yahoo, Smiley is on the nest again.
If any body wants to know the subtle differences between the big guy and the queen , pm me.

It's quite the study!!!  Well done B!

[bccs]

Yahoo, Smiley is on the nest again.
If any body wants to know the subtle differences between the big guy and the queen , pm me.

[sparkster]

I've been able to watch a lot in the last few days, and have been lucky enough to spot a big difference between the adults on the nest when we cant see their heads or breasts and can only see their backs.

Anybody want to know???  

(Actually there are two differences)

Absolutely! Please tell us. I think Princess looks wider, and kind of "hunkers down" over the chicks, but I could be completely wrong. 

[bccs]

Awww, he's back again and being so gentle and careful with the kiddies.
Princess, you really lucked in with this guy. 

[bccs]

Whoa, something just alerted Smiley and he's off the chicks.

[Liz]

:(mom just removed the damaged egg from the nest. 

Oh no!  I missed that.  But I guess it's not likely either one will hatch.    

[bccs]

What a great day! Smiley has been on the nest very often today and for long periods of time.
And he's there again.
I've been able to watch a lot in the last few days, and have been lucky enough to spot a big difference between the adults on the nest when we can't see their heads or breasts and can only see their backs.

Anybody want to know???  

(Actually there are two differences)