Kestrel sp.? Greece (Santorini) May 2009 (1 Viewer)

just as I was about to post this, I saw a similar query about a bird in Egypt. I got these 3 photos whilst we stayed on Santorini during May 2009. At the time I ID'd the bird as Common Kestrel but now having a look again at the photos after cropping and making them lighter, I'm wondering if it's not a Lesser Kestrel.

The 1st photo does seem to show, faintly so might just be the light, a grey rump like a female LK. it does appear to have fairly strong facial marking though which don't appear on the next 2 photos - initially thought this photo was of the same bird in the following 2 shots. LARGE PHOTO

The photos of the Kestrel chasing the Hooded Crow (last 2 photos) was taken on a different day but same location. LARGE PHOTO #3 (#2 at it's largest)

Any ideas? (hope somebody can make out something from these fairly bad shots)

Cheers
Marcell

Pics 1 and 3 show primaries 10 (front tip of wing) and 7 are similar in length. This is characteristic of Kestrel. In Lesser Kestrel, 7 is distinctly shorter than 10. But I'm often wrong so perhaps someone else will offer an opinion!

Common Kestrel.

Neil.

This looks like a fairly typical Common Kestrel to me - wing shape is spot on, moustache is strong and the underwing rather too well spotted for Lesser,

Thanks for the quick info all - handy little detail on the primaries too.