Hello - can you help with bird indent? (1 Viewer)

L

lanie77

Member

• Jun 20, 2015

• #1

I photographed these chaps earlier - I'm sorry they're from the back, they were a long way away, and refused to fly towards me.
They looked to be bigger than egrets, maybe even as large as herons. They were standing in long grass on marshland, and only flew short distances before settling again

 

Attachments

• 
  197 (1024x768).jpg

  513.3 KB · Views: 137

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jun 20, 2015

• #2

Can't see much in the photo, I'm afraid. The obvious candidate large heron would be Grey heron, but these seem a little too dark, with no contrast in color along the wing.

Did you see the shape of the birds well? Were they long-legged and long-necked? If so, did you notice any contrasting white patches, especially on the flanks? Any color on the beak or the legs? A fun possibility would be Black Stork.

From the photo, I wouldn't rule out Ravens...

 

L

lanie77

Member

• Jun 20, 2015

• #3

I couldn't see them clearly until they flew as they were in long grass, but I would guess that the grass at least 18" tall and I could only just see the birds heads above the grass.
When they flew, they seemed to 'lope' a bit like herons taking off. They were definitely not common uk herons, as they seemed to be black (or very dark) all over.
I wish I could have seen them closer (or face on). Sorry I'm not much help.

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jun 20, 2015

• #4

OK, so around half the size of a grey heron... can't think of much besides raven that would work. Behavior doesn't sound like cormorants...

 

Keith Dickinson

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Jun 20, 2015

• #5

Corvid of some sort would be my best guess, not sure about raven that far south though.

 

MTem

Well-known member

• Jun 20, 2015

• #6

Glossy Ibis?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 20, 2015

• #7

Carrion Crows for me, though Rook also possible. Tails not long / heavy enough for Ravens; and definitely Corvus of some sort.

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Jun 21, 2015

• #8

Agree with Nutcracker - and Keith, yep we have Ravens eberywhere down here now!