Help with raptor Id please (1 Viewer)

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2006

• #1

Pale morph Buzzard?

details here

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=63587&page=4&pp=25

Many thanks

 

MSA

I may be relaxed but I'm not drunk....

• Sep 16, 2006

• #2

To be honest, although it's difficult to make out much detail, I'd be surprised if the bigger bird is a Buzzard, just doesn't "feel" like one. Red Kite would be my guess, but no more than a guess. Could just as easily be a Marsh Harrier, as they are perhaps the most likely non-Buzzard large raptor, and can look like almost anything else!

 

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2006

• #3

Thanks Mark

Def. not Red Kite - Almost pure white/pale all over, other than black hands/fingers - did wander about Light Morph Buteo to be honest, but don't know how likely that would be - do Harriers 'thermal' through mobbing crows - seen Buzzards do that a lot? - colours actually seem fine for (marsh) harrier - jiz didn't seem right though somehow - black fingers looked quite long and spaced (not splayed out but straight) and wings looked quite straight/flat narrowing slightly at end - (only had view from below) does that sound right?


(meant male 'marsh' not 'hen'!)

 

Last edited: Sep 17, 2006

MSA

I may be relaxed but I'm not drunk....

• Sep 16, 2006

• #4

As it is not possible to see colours in pics, I can't really comment further, but I find raptor ID is best based on structure rather than plumage in most cases. The pics do not show a buteo imho. Harriers would be on the move at this time of year, and the local crows would mob any raptor passing through their patch - if you ever hear crows, gulls, hirundines or whatever making alarm calls at this time of year, it's well worth looking around for a passing raptor. Male Marsh Harrier is quite a bulky bird and can look quite grey and white. I think you'll have to put this one down to experience...

 

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2006

• #5

Ok - thankyou for your help and confirming Harrier

('experience' of closer views sometimes would be nice - always tricky with no scope or zoom :-C )

 

Last edited: Sep 16, 2006

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Sep 17, 2006

• #6

could be male marsh h., deborah.

 

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 17, 2006

• #7

lou salomon said:

could be male marsh h., deborah.

Click to expand...

Thanks Lou (shame I couldn't tick it!)