• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Is this a stoat or a weasel? (1 Viewer)

Joe.S

Joe.S

Well-known member
I was looking for a peregrine!

I saw the rabbit running down the field towards me and didn't think anything of it. A few minutes later there was a right commotion: I can't be sure if the stoat/weasel killed the rabbit, or carrion crows (I only saw the aftermath).

WARNING video contains a dead rabbit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJHgqKGreYU
 
Last edited:
I thought stoat based on size but the apparent lack of a black tip has thrown me.

The rabbit was about 16 -17 inches from head-to-tail (if that helps).
 
Personally, I think it's a Weasel based on size in relation to the Rabbit, short tail and lack of black tip.


Shane
 
Looks like a Stoat to me based on size and general appearance, I wonder if it could maybe it could have lost part of it's tail and that's why the black tip is missing.
 
I think its a Stoat with a broken tail as well, size looks right (though there is overlap between big male Weasels and small female Stoats.) Flank and throat demarcation line is straight as well, it wiggles on a Weasel.

John
 
For what it's worth I would go with Stoat with tail tip missing. Size (using Rabbit for scale) and bouncy movement fits better with Stoat.
 
Thanks, Mike. Appreciated.

Recently whilst bird watching (a misnomer) I've seen: three otters, two stoats, and two foxes. It's a very nice, and unexpected, sideshow.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 9 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

D
UK Bird of Prey help
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
Daz001
D
O
Mysterious blue tit behaviour
Replies
7
Views
3K
Oldhui
O
Jos Stratford
White-tailed Eagle vs Red Fox, Battle Days
Replies
4
Views
639
Jos Stratford
Jos Stratford
S
Hello! New here and seeking wisdom
Replies
6
Views
450
Fritz73
Fritz73
SueO
Six Day Texas Trip
Replies
2
Views
593
wolfbirder
wolfbirder

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top