[416bw]

Still western Afghanistan, taken a couple weeks ago. Didn't even realize the lump on the rock was a bird until I uploaded the pics to my laptop. One is the slightly cropped original picture, the other attachment is zoomed in the best I could.

This one may too hard, given the quality of the pictures.

Thanks!

[James Lidster]

looks like either a Long-legged or Upland Buzzard (the dark belly contrasting with the paler head), i think Afghanistan might be out of range for Upland?
Cheers
James

[rockfowl]

Appears to be a Buteo species, in other words a Buzzard of some description, if I had to guess, I'd suggest one of these - http://orientalbirdimages.org/search...ID=&pagesize=1 (though I'd struggle to argue against pale headed, dark bellied 'Steppe' Buzzard if someone produced one, as you say photo not brilliant ) - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

Does Upland range that far West?

[Microtus]

Originally Posted by James Lidster

looks like either a Long-legged or Upland Buzzard (the dark belly contrasting with the paler head), i think Afghanistan might be out of range for Upland?
Cheers
James

According to the map in Rasmussen and Anderton Birds of South Asia, Upland only ranges west to southern/eastern Jammu and Kashmir.

[chris butterworth]

it certainly looks like the Uplands I saw In Tuva last year with that big black belly and rather light head.
Chris

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Microtus

According to the map in Rasmussen and Anderton Birds of South Asia, Upland only ranges west to southern/eastern Jammu and Kashmir.

Don't suppose there has been too many 'bird surveying' in Afghanistan for a few years

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

it certainly looks like the Uplands I saw In Tuva last year with that big black belly and rather light head.
Chris

Bit like this as well then Chris - http://orientalbirdimages.org/search...ID=&pagesize=1 and a nice Upland from Tuva - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=96&pagesize=1

[chris butterworth]

That's the jobbie. Cracking birds.
Chris

[Microtus]

Originally Posted by rockfowl

Don't suppose there has been too many 'bird surveying' in Afghanistan for a few years

I've made a note in my book.

[Tib78]

Originally Posted by rockfowl

Don't suppose there has been too many 'bird surveying' in Afghanistan for a few years

Really? I thought a special team of very motivated birders had been created for the "Tukestan Tit Breeding Survey":


http://files.myopera.com/musickna/al...rd%20house.jpg

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Tib78

Really? I thought a special team of very motivated birders had been created for the "Tukestan Tit Breeding Survey":


http://files.myopera.com/musickna/al...rd%20house.jpg

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

That's the jobbie. Cracking birds.
Chris

Damn. I knew I should have opened both photos. Still looks more like Upland than Long-legged. I know raptors can/do vary considerably but I've never seen a Long-legged looking as "cold", they always appear much "warmer" in colour ( as per the original bird! )
Chris

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Damn. I knew I should have opened both photos. Still looks more like Upland than Long-legged. I know raptors can/do vary considerably but I've never seen a Long-legged looking as "cold", they always appear much "warmer" in colour ( as per the original bird! )
Chris

LOL, I did wonder Unfortunately, Upland hasn't been recorded in Afghanistan according to the various checklists/

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by rockfowl

LOL, I did wonder Unfortunately, Upland hasn't been recorded in Afghanistan according to the various checklists/

Well, my Afghani list ony runs to 2 Griffons, spotted from the plane to Kuala Lumpur, so what do I know
Chris

[KFC]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Well, my Afghani list ony runs to 2 Griffons, spotted from the plane to Kuala Lumpur, so what do I know
Chris

Shh, Chris before you start someone on the 'How many birds have you seen from a plane' thread.

K

[416bw]

Originally Posted by KFC

Shh, Chris before you start someone on the 'How many birds have you seen from a plane' thread.

K

Well, my job involves lots of flying in Afghanistan. There are plenty of birds in the FOBs, but I'm usually too busy to take pictures of them, plus the security issues that come with taking pictures inside a military base.

I do have plenty of eagle pictures and such from home in Alaska, but those seem well covered in the other sections of the forum.

Thanks to all for the help with ID'ing the bird!

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by KFC

Shh, Chris before you start someone on the 'How many birds have you seen from a plane' thread.

K

I hadn't thought of that. It's an idea though
Chris