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Mystery Bird photo (1 Viewer)

Charlie M

Well-known member
Hi All,

Apologies to BF members from everywhere else, but I was looking at some photos I had on a CF card and noticed these two birds, and thought they might make for an interesting distraction/challenge for a minute or two for some of the BF UK/Europe ID experts - and give an idea what I'd like to see coming in over the Dorset coast this Spring!

Cheers.
 

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I'm pretty sure the left hand bird is a Black Kite. Not so confident about the right-hand one, but I'll call Crag Martin.

Jason
 
the bird on the right looks like a swift to me, unless swifts aren't residents in the good ol' U of K...
 
Can't be a starling, from the angle, the righthand bird is rather far from typical mobbing proximity. and do mobbing birds usually mob in groups?
 
Hi,

The right-hand bird is at an odd angle isn't it...but not a pigeon/dove or starling of any sort...

It might help to know that the photo was taken in Nairobi, Kenya.
 
most likely is a swift, probably a desert swift? or savannah sparrow? (listing possibilities, since Africa has desert and savannah...)
 
Nairobi? 'Spose I'd better change Crag Martin to Rock Martin then, but it's much more likely to be a bird I've never heard of!

Jason
 
Hi all,

The left hand bird is a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and the right-hand bird is a Little Swift (Apus affinis) - the swift is turning and spreading its tail open, which is why it looks so odd...

Like I said, it would be a good day down on Portland to get those two together in the same viewfinder!
 
Yes! right on the money with the swift! i'm the beginner around here, and the "experts" didn't even mention swift... anyway, everyone tried their best.
 
the image is an older one from months ago. the reference to Dorset coast will take place sometime in the near future. Read: "...coming in over the Dorset coast this spring!"
 
I think they are Black Kite and Little Swift! Just kidding!

The Black Kites were all over Nairobi when we were there in February. And they have more swifts, martins, etc. than you can imagine. It was quite difficult for me to try to "sort them all out".
 
Hi Gthang,
gthang said:
Yes! right on the money with the swift! i'm the beginner around here, and the "experts" didn't even mention swift... anyway, everyone tried their best.
Well, I hadn't seen this thread originally last year, and my first thoughts were Black Kite and Little Swift.... ;)
Regards,
Harry
 
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