Bulgaria - Black Kite? (1 Viewer)

Scridifer

Used Registrar

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• Mar 18, 2017

• #1

A real long shot given the standard of the photo but can anyone get a sense of 'jizz' about this bird? Very dark underneath with practically no distinguishing markings bar the yellow legs. Very well-fingered hands not necessarily apparent in the photo! If I had seen the tail folded and forked I'd be certain for Black Kite but of course it didn't oblige.

Thanks as always,

Chris

 

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tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Mar 18, 2017

• #2

my guess is Msrsh Harrier

 

Scridifer

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• Mar 18, 2017

• #3

tconzemi said:

my guess is Msrsh Harrier

Click to expand...

Hi Tom,

Many thanks for your suggestion! Pretty certain it wasn't a Marsh harrier, I see those a lot here. It was much darker than any female I've ever seen and there were no traces of gold at all! As I say it was a long shot, not to worry!

Chris

 

S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2017

• #4

Getting a bit of a buzzard vibe; the narrow-looking left wing could be an artifact. Tail end is convex, so Black Kite is unlikely.

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2017

• #5

Without looking at others' comments my first impression was Marsh Harrier. Wings look too long for Buzzard.

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Mar 18, 2017

• #6

Marsh Harrier was my gut reaction too. Juveniles can be completely dark.

 

S

stevethehydra

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2017

• #7

I'm getting an impression of either Buteo or Marsh Harrier (or Honey, but I'm presuming very unlikely at this time of year), but not Black Kite.

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Mar 19, 2017

• #8

My first impression was Marsh Harrier, but as it's only one rather poor shot I looked again and now mean to recognise a pale inner hand which a Marsh Harrier wouldn't have. The shape of the wings and the light tail look OK for Black Kite. The tail can look convex when fanned, compare here (scroll down to the last image):
http://birds-in-flight.net/?p=6343

 

Scridifer

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• Mar 19, 2017

• #9

Many thanks to all for your comments - much appreciated and most interesting! As I say I'm almost certain it wasn't a Marsh harrier, that's the most common raptor I see here after common Buzzard (though not at this location, the wrong habitat for MH).
The location usually yields plenty of Common Buzzard and the odd Hen Harrier with the very occasional Gosdhawk. To my chagrin I glanced up, thought CB, and it took a little while for the cogs to whirr to realise it wasn't, in which time it had moved further away limiting photo ops.
I suspect something on migration - we are on the Via Pontica and H Buzzard isn't uncommon but as Steve suggests later on.
Another one for the unidentifieds but fun to speculate (I have seen Black Kite on migration here so I'm not looking for a 'tick')!

Thanks again,

Chris

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Mar 19, 2017

• #10

I was thinking honey buzzard. And migration has been very early this year, hasn't it?

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Mar 19, 2017

• #11

too early for honey buzzard. maybe you didn't like it to be a marsh harrier because it wasn't in the right habitat and you usually see them close to the ground. to me it also looks best for marsh harrier.

 

Scridifer

Used Registrar

Supporter

• Mar 20, 2017

• #12

Hi Jeff and Lou and many thanks for your input! We have had a multitude of Buzzards pass over on migration but as Lou says no HBs yet.

Chris