This photo was taken in Sunnuni, Iraq during the summer of 2003. It is a wild bird that the town's children brought to me. I obtained permission from Admin prior to posting, just to make sure I was within the guidelines of the forum. The bird was a juvenile that could not fully fly on it's own. I cared for it for a few days until it was able to fly, then released it back into the wild. I have been unable to positively ID it and would love to hear your input. I have considered everything from Buzzards to Short-Toed Snake Eagle, [Circaetus gallicus]. I am just unsure especially because of the birds age. Any help will be appreciated.
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ID Help on Raptor in Iraq (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rdp68
- Start date
On another site, I was told that it was much too small to be either a Steppe or Long Legged Buzzard. He thought that it was a Short-Toed Eagle due to the size and rounded head. I've been convinced both ways at different times. It is frustrating, Raptors have always been difficult for me, especially a juvenile from a picture taken so long ago. At least I have a picture to help with the fading memories. Thank you for the input.
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Short-toed Eagle is substantially larger than either Common or Long-legged Buzzards, so that's very strange advice from that other site!
Simon Wates
Well-known member
Totally agree - I see ST Eagles nearly every day and I can assure you it would be close to twice the bulk of the LL Buzzard!
Sangahyando
Well-known member
As said, this is, um, exotic - a Short-toed Eagle is about as big as a large Turkey Vulture.
The Steppe Buzzard (smallish ssp. of Common Buzzard) is actually the smallest of the three.
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stevethehydra
Well-known member
I think it looks smaller than it is due to a rare reverse (and probably accidental) example of forced perspective - the bird is further from the camera than the man's head. Usually you see it deliberately done the other way, to make fish, snakes or "giant" rats as reported by dodgy tabloid newspapers look bigger! (and my ID guess would be Buteo rufinus)
