Lanner/Gyrfalcon Hybrid

Thank so much guys for all of your suggestions! After searching the internet thoroughly, I have come to the conclusion that it is a Lanner/Gyrfalcon hybrid. The Lanner side being quite obvious, and then I noticed the very blue/grey nape and eye surrounding is most consistent with the Gyrfalcon. This was a hard one! Let me know what you guys think.

Possibly one of the sub-species of Merlin (Falco columbarius)?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_(bird)

I think it looks too big to be a kestrel and possibly has a bit too much brown than silver/blue for a male especially on the head. It's we shame we can't ask the person holding him/her to solve the mystery!

Look like Kestrel

Is this possibly a Lanner Falcon hybrid or pure breed? I used to work with a Lanner x Peregrine Falcon hybrid, looked quite similar to this as does the pure Lanner Falcon

But you should also consider since it has been bred and possibly a hybrid it may not be considered native. I believe the site originally was meant for wild and native organisms.

I wouldn't consider it a pet so much as a mutual understanding with a wild animal. let me explain, even though these raptors have been bread and raised by falconers, they have also been taught how to hunt and fend for themselves basically. So, at any time they feel like they could be doing better by themselves in order to find food, they will fly away and most likely never be seen again. But that is a very rare occurrence.

So this is actually a pet and not a wild Falcon?

Oh I just saw your other posting of the gry/Saker mix! Gorgeous bird!

Yeah hybrids are crazy as i found out from one of the falconers there who had the Gyr/Saker mix i posted. I appreciate the help!

It looks like it could be a hybrid, like a prairie falcon mix. Falconers will do this to create a better hunter. It could also be a specie that is not native to the US, therefore I'm not familiar with it! Beautiful bird!