raptor silhouette identification

[steve west]

I'm going to try again. I believe there are plenty of birder swots out there who are up to the challenge of identifying raptors by their silhouettes, and probably loads more who are not but are willing to give it a go.

There are 22 species, all of them are found regularly in Spain, but you can only see their silhouettes (taken from real photos). Click on this link and then "special feature raptor silhouettes" and have a go:

http://www.birdinginspain.com/free-birding-downloads.html

You'll probably need some clues, so here's the first one:
Number 16 is not a raven.
(there'll be more revealing clues later on if the situation so demands).

Steve West http://www.birdinginspain.com

[Tim Allwood]

1) Honey
2) Kestrel
3) Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) Marshharrier
6) Gos
7) ST Eagle
8) Kes
9) Common Buzzard
10) Peregrine
11) Black Kite
13) Bonelli's
14) Monty's
15) Honey
16 Egyptian Vult
17) Another Honey?
18 Peregrine
19 Sprawk
20) Lesser Kes
21 Booted
22 Lammer

[steve west]

Hi Tim

Thanks for having a go. I make it 11 correct. 50%. Narrow pass.
http://www.birdinginspain.com

[steve west]

By the way, do you really live at Sea Palling? Used to be one of my "local patches" whenI lived in Norwich. Do you still see Lesser Whitethroat and Tree Sparows around there?

Steve
http://www.birdinginspain.com

[Tim Allwood]

Hi Steve

yes, there are still plenty of Lesser throats around. There are some Tree Sparrows nearby but not many...

Tim

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I can think of a really good clue to help people get all of these, but I won't cheat ;).

1) Honey Buzzard
2) Rough-legged Buzzard
3) Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) Marsh harrier
6) Goshawk
7) Short-Toed Eagle
8) Eleonora's Falcon
9) Common Buzzard
10) Gyr Falcon
11) Black Kite
12) Booted Eagle
13) Bonelli's Eagle
14) Montagu's Harrier
15) Golden Eagle
16) Egyptian Vulture
17) Hen Harrier
18) Peregrine
19) Sparrowhawk
20) Kestrel
21) Black Vulture
22) Lammergeier

[Dimitris]

Hello!

Thought I'd give it a go as well :) :

1) Honey Buzzard
2)Kestrel
3)Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) Common Buzzard
6) Sparrowhawk (female)
7) Booted Eagle
8) Eleonora's Falcon
9) Short-toed Eagle
10) Eurasian Hobby (??)
11) Black Kite
12) Pallid Harrier (??)
13) Bonelli's Eagle
14) Marsh Harrier
15) Greater Spotted Eagle. Edit: So you say regular eh? Has to be Golden then.
16) Egyptian Vulture
17) Montague's Harrier
18) Peregrine Falcon
19) Levant Sparrowhawk
20) Lesser Kestrel
21) Black Vulture
22) Lammergeier

Cheers,

Dimitris

[steve west]

Andrew the best so far with 14 (I'm curious to know about your unused cheating system Andy).
Dimitris 10 (started off well but weak finish)
Nobody's got number 2 right yet!
By the way, RLBuzzard, Gyrfalcon and Levant Sparrowhawk would either be firsts or top notch rarities in Spain!
Another clue: number 5 is not a Marsh harrier, and i think that there's no "e" in the "Montagu's" of Montagu's Harrier
Another try?
http://www.birdinginspain.com

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Andrew the best so far with 14 (I'm curious to know about your unused cheating system Andy).

I have a feeling I've seen this plate of silhouettes before - although I don't have the possible source to hand.

[Tim Allwood]

12) BW Kite?

[steve west]

It's actually a unique set of plates - I did it myself.
As for number 12 - no sorry, not BSKite, although BSK is there somewhere (nobody's spotted it yet though).
More clues - number 5 has got a big head and number 2 is hovering but it's not a kestrel or lesser kestrel.

http://www.birdinginspain.com

[MSA]

2 is I presume the BW Kite.

12 I had down as Sparrowhawk.

I'll look at the rest when I get chance and post a full list, honest!

[cajanuma]

Nice quiz! 7, 12, and 13 have me particularly stumped, but I'll try anyway

1) Honey Buzzard
2) Black-winged Kite (thanks to MSA)
3) Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) Booted Eagle
6) Goshawk
7) Bonelli's Eagle
8) Eleonora's Falcon
9) Short-toed Eagle
10) Hobby
11) Black Kite
12) Common Buzzard
13) Hen Harrier
14) Montagu's Harrier
15) Golden Eagle
16) Egyptian Vulture
17) Marsh Harrier
18) Peregrine
19) Sparrowhawk
20) Lesser Kestrel
21) Griffon Vulture
22) Lammergeier

[steve west]

Congratulations Cajanuma!
14 correct, the equal highest so far! And one or two careless mistakes which I'm sure you could correct, e.g. have Booted Eagles got large, owl-like heads?
My wife says I've made this quiz too difficult. I hope someone can get close to getting them all so I can show her she's not always right!

[desgreene]

My attempt -

1. Honey Buzzard
2. Black-winged Kite
3. Red Kite
4. Osprey
5. Short-toed Eagle
6. Goshawk
7. Booted Eagle
8. Hobby
9. Bonelli's Eagle
10. Peregrine
11. Black Kite
12. Common Buzzard
13. Hen Harrier
14. Mantagu's Harrier
15. Golden Eagle
16. Egyptian Vulture
17. Marsh Harrier
18. Merlin
19. Sparrowhawk
20. Common Kestrel
21. Griffon Vulture
22. Lammergeier

[pe'rigin]

I'm stumped on 12 and 13 and 17, I think that I've mixed up me Buzzards.

1. Honey Buzzard
2. Short Toed Eagle
3. Red Kite
4. Osprey
5. Black Winged kite
6. Goshawk
7. Booted Eagle
8. Hobby
9. Bonelli's Eagle
10. Peregrine
11. Black Kite
12. Common Buzzard
13. Imperial Eagle
14. Montagu's Harrier
15. Golden Eagle
16. Egyptian Vulture
17. Marsh Harrier
18. Kestrel
19. Sparrowhawk
20. Lesser Kestrel
21. Griffon Vulture
22. Lammergeier

[steve west]

Right, Desgreene (Des?) = 17
Pe'rigin (got that one right!) = 14
Congratulations both, the first (by a clear 3 points)and equal second highest so far.
Only 5 away from a full house.

[MSA]

Not looking at previous answers (not much help without knowing which are correct anyway!) -

1. Honey Buzzard
2. Black-shouldered Kite
3. Red Kite
4. Osprey
5. Short-toed Eagle
6. Sparrowhawk
7. Booted Eagle
8. Kestrel
9. Common Buzzard
10. Peregrine
11. Black Kite
12. Sparrowhawk
13. Bonelli's Eagle
14. Montagu's Harrier
15. Golden Eagle
16. Egyptian Vulture
17. Marsh Harrier
18. Kestrel
19. Sparrowhawk
20. Lesser Kestrel
21. Griffon Vulture
22. Lammergeier

Great quiz by the way, Steve!

[Dimitris]

15) Could be Spanish Imperial Eagle...

[MSA]

15) Could be Spanish Imperial Eagle...

I guess so, but ruled it out as I thought the forewing was too straight..

No doubt all will become clear eventually!

[James Lowther]

if i waded through everybodies answers and scores i could probably improve this but...

1 honey buzz
2 common kes
3 black kite
4 osprey
5 short-toed eagle
6 goshawk
7 booted eagle
8 hobby
9 common buzzard
10 peregrine
11 red kite
12 ???
13 hen harrier
14 monty
15 golden eagle
16 egyptian vulture
17 marsh harrier
18 eleonora's falcon
19 sprawk
20 lesser kes
21 griffon
22 lammergeier

[steve west]

Great try Mark!
8 out of 10 in the first 10 (if you use sparrowhawk three times you'll get it wrong at least twice)
9 out of 12 in the second part (kestrel wrong twice!). That makes 17, equal highest so far.
James 14 out of 22
It's getting very close now! In general the biggest stumbling blocks appear to be 8, 12 and 18, but if I remember correctly at least 1 attempt has got it right for 8 and 18, although none for 12.
Thanks to all for taking part!

http://www.birdinginspain.com

[MSA]

Great try Mark!
8 out of 10 in the first 10 (if you use sparrowhawk three times you'll get it wrong at least twice)
9 out of 12 in the second part (kestrel wrong twice!). That makes 17, equal highest so far.
James 14 out of 22
It's getting very close now! In general the biggest stumbling blocks appear to be 8, 12 and 18, but if I remember correctly at least 1 attempt has got it right for 8 and 18, although none for 12.
Thanks to all for taking part!

http://www.birdinginspain.com


So I'm assuming there's only one of each species then! Didn't twig to that before. I'll have another look...

[steve west]

If nobody else wants to try and beat 17 out of 22 I'll reveal the answers tomorrow.
Any late takers?
Special attention to the falcons and number 12.

http://www.birdinginspain.com

[James Lowther]

i'll have a go later steve, with some books and a thinking cap on ;)

[pe'rigin]

Steve,

I'm still stuck on 12, I can only think that it's the ST Eagle?

I think 13 could be a Black Vulture.

[steve west]

Steve,

I'm still stuck on 12, I can only think that it's the ST Eagle?

I think 13 could be a Black Vulture.

Wrong on both counts I'm afraid! Clue for 12: it's a species that breeds in Britain moor often than in many parts of Spain.

http://www.birdinginspain.com

[James Lowther]

Erm...
I fancied i could clear up with some clever deduction but still reckon there's a few wrong here...
great quiz btw!!

1. Honey Buzzard
2. Black-shouldered Kite
3. Red Kite
4. Osprey
5. Short-toed Eagle
6. Goshawk
7. Booted Eagle
8. Eleonora's Falcon
9. Common Buzzard
10. Peregrine
11. Black Kite
12. KESTREL!!
13. Hen Harrier
14. Montagu's Harrier
15. Golden Eagle
16. Egyptian Vulture
17. Marsh Harrier
18. Hobby
19. Sparrowhawk
20. Lesser Kestrel
21. Black Vulture
22. Lammergeier

[cajanuma]

Wrong on both counts I'm afraid! Clue for 12: it's a species that breeds in Britain moor often than in many parts of Spain.



so I guess 12 is Hen Harrier, then?

one last time (still unsure about the falcons and 13):

1) Honey Buzzard
2) Black-shouldered Kite
3) Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) ST Eagle
6) Gos
7) Booted Eagle
8) Eleonora's
9) Common Buzzard
10) Peregrine
11) Black Kite
12) Hen Harrier
13) Bonelli's (??)
14) Monty's
15) Golden Eagle
16) Egyptian Vulture
17) Marsh Harrier
18) Hobby
19) Sparrowhawk
20) Kestrel (changed it from Lesser Kestrel since the wing forumla suggests Kestrel)
21) Griffon Vulture
22) Lammergeier

[pe'rigin]

Morning Steve,

By any chance have you been sneaky and put some Owls in here?

Looking at 2 now it does look like a Barn Owl and James has gone for Hen Harrier for 12 which makes sense, but this drawing has got me, I can only think of Short eared Owl which could be early morning madness setting in.

[The Devil Bird]

Per'rigrin, the tail is wrong for Barn Owl at number 2.
Here's my guess ( i couldn't be bothered looking through everyone elses so this is a fresh guess).
1 Honey Buzzard
2 Black-winged Kite
3 Red Kite
4 Osprey
5 Booted Eagle
6 Goshawk
7 Buzzard
8 Red-footed Falcon
9 Bonelli's Eagle
10 Peregrine
11 Black Kite
12 Hen Harrier
13 Random Guess... Short-toed Eagle!??
14 Montagus Harrier
15 Golden Eagle
16 Egyptian Vulture
17 Marsh Harrier
18 Hobby
19 Sparrowhawk
20 Kestrel
21 Griffon Vulture
22 Lammagier

[steve west]

Stop Press!
Cajanuma's got it right! 100%! I didn't think anyone would get them all - congratulations, I realize it wasn't an easy task at all!

1) Honey Buzzard
2) Black-shouldered Kite
3) Red Kite
4) Osprey
5) ST Eagle
6) Gos
7) Booted Eagle
8) Eleonora's
9) Common Buzzard
10) Peregrine
11) Black Kite
12) Hen Harrier
13) Bonelli's (??)
14) Monty's
15) Golden Eagle
16) Egyptian Vulture
17) Marsh Harrier
18) Hobby
19) Sparrowhawk
20) Kestrel (changed it from Lesser Kestrel since the wing forumla suggests Kestrel)
21) Griffon Vulture
22) Lammergeier

Judging by some of the replies I think the next thing should be a spelling quiz (only joking!).

http://www.birdinginspain.com

P.S. Now that you've had a look at the quiz why not look at the rest of the site?
I'm already thinking about the next "quiz with a difference", so stay tuned!

[James Lowther]

Hey Steve,
great quiz, well done cajanuma. Could have sworn no 13 was a harrier but there you go..
Would be nice to see the original non-silhouette photos??
James

[pe'rigin]

Well played everyone,

Steve, any chance of posting the original of 12 the Hen Harrier please.


Regards

P

[Peewit]

I have a feeling I've seen this plate of silhouettes before - although I don't have the possible source to hand.

Hi Andrew

Yes I have seen these silhouettes too, and I know where you have seen these pictures.

The silhouettes of these birds are being used to deter garden birds from hitting your windows. Birds are always drawn by reflection of themselves on our building windows.
It is a bit like letroset, you peel back the backing sheet and stick the shape of the bird of prey onto your window. Bingo there you have it. :t:
No more accidents with low flying birds. ;)

I am sure this is where I have seen them. I have a set of them myself to stick on my windows at the moment - somewhere in the house. You can get them from the RSPB.

Peewit

[steve west]

Well played everyone,

Steve, any chance of posting the original of 12 the Hen Harrier please.


Regards

P

Here you are pe'rigin. Took me long enough to find it, so please don't ask me to remember where I got it from originally.

By the way, if I show the rest of the photos (those that i can find) no-one wil get worked up about any copyright issues, will they?

Regards
Steve

[James Lowther]

Well I know i won't!! ;)

[pe'rigin]

Thanks Steve,


It's easy now, just shows you need colour to be positive.

Many thanks.

P

[steve west]

Thanks to all of you for participating. As I mentioned I will have another quiz ready, hopefully within 3 or 4 days. A "spot the bird" quiz - and I can advance that it is not as easy as this one! (joking again).

Steve
http://birdinginspain.com