Australian Raptor (1 Viewer)

[glazzers]

Bird seen just outside Melbourne, Victoria, looks like a Common Buzzard but according to bird books only Buzzard in this area is a Black bellied Buzzard. Need help please

 

[ceasar]

Whistling Kite.

https://www.arkive.org/whistling-kite/haliastur-sphenurus/image-G139067.html

Bob

 

[glazzers]

Many thanks Ceasar

 

[mjh73]

Whistling Kite as ceasar said. Underwing and long-ish paddle shaped tail are distinctive.

Black-breasted Buzzard would cause a fair bit of excitement anywhere in Victoria, let alone Melbourne, they are an arid / northern bird.

 

[Chosun Juan]

Deffo Whistling Kite.

As MJ said the sandy coloured body and pattern on the wing and long rounded paddle shaped tail is diagnostic. That wrist forward wing position in a glide as you photographed is also a classic Whistling Kite characteristic. If ever you hear the call it is unmistakable, a descending whistle - Seeyooooouuuuuuuuuuu .........

The juvvy Black Breasted Buzzard is a lot lighter than the adult (which has - drum roll ..... a black breast ! , but it is more reddish brown than the Whistler, has a shorter square tail, and still has the white panels of the adult BBB on the wings. It is also slightly larger than the Whistler though this may be difficult to pick in isolation.

So quite similar, but different. Some photos illustrating the difference here https://rwsboa2011.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-good-is-bird-watching-in-central.html?m=1

Being mostly a bird of the arid inland, seeing a BBB in Melbourne as MJ said would cause quite a stir !



Chosun :gh:

 

[glazzers]

many thanks to all, great information