Buzzards from Armenia, need ID (2 Viewers)

[oleg2oleg]

Hi! Here is some Buzzards from Armenia, Sevan Lake area. Early May. I can't understand - they are Common Buzzards (B.b.menetriesi ???) or Long-legged? On my mind more chances that they're Long-legged, but I doubt it...
Thank you for the help! )

 

[KenM]

Why not Steppe Buzzard for images 2-5?

Cheers

 

[oleg2oleg]

Why not Steppe Buzzard for images 2-5?

Cheers

May be they are vulpinus ssp, but again I'm not sure...

 

[KenM]

May be they are vulpinus ssp, but again I'm not sure...

An expert should be along quite soon oleg.👍

 

[01101001]

In the meantime, have a look at what the Armenians have to say about their buzzards (all pictures clickable):

https://www.acopiancenter.am/plate6.asp

Plate 13 - Buzzards, Kites and Osprey - A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia ::Acopian Center for the Environment

 

[oleg2oleg]

In the meantime, have a look at what the Armenians have to say about their buzzards (all pictures clickable):

https://www.acopiancenter.am/plate6.asp

Plate 13 - Buzzards, Kites and Osprey - A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia ::Acopian Center for the Environment

Yes, I have this Guide, but the pictures are very simple... According them, on my mind, all my flying birds looks like Common Buzzard juv light phase, but carpal patches are big, like Long-legged have...

 

[tconzemi]

No Long-legged here, but I have no experience with menetriesi (not even identification papers)

 

[oleg2oleg]

No Long-legged here, but I have no experience with menetriesi (not even identification papers)

So you're thinking that all of them are Common Buzzards, no different which ssp?

 

[KenM]

So you're thinking that all of them are Common Buzzards, no different which ssp?

Have to assume that separating vulpinus from menetreisi is not (easy/possible?) oleg, otherwise someone would have attempted to clarify.
Certainly an attractive variant of Common Buzzard and thanks for showing the images.👍

 

[oleg2oleg]

Have to assume that separating vulpinus from menetreisi is not (easy/possible?) oleg, otherwise someone would have attempted to clarify.
Certainly an attractive variant of Common Buzzard and thanks for showing the images.👍

Thank you! Then let them all be Buzzards! )))

 

[kuzeycem]

I think "3 bird" looks OK for Long-legged Buzzard, though I'd ideally want to see more of it.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

I think "3 bird" looks OK for Long-legged Buzzard, though I'd ideally want to see more of it.

It looks longer winged because it is an immature but still a Steppe/Common Buzzard.

 

[lou salomon]

I think "3 bird" looks OK for Long-legged Buzzard, though I'd ideally want to see more of it.

Cem, LLB doesn't show such conspicious pale median coverts. It's a Buteo buteo ssp.

 

[01101001]

Which part of the wing should I look at to see the median coverts in a buzzard?

 

[tconzemi]

Which part of the wing should I look at to see the median coverts in a buzzard?

Marked red. Lesser coverts in front at the leading edge, median coverts very light in Common buzzard, greater coverts below touching the flight feathers

 

[01101001]

Ah, thanks a lot! I was looking for the pale band in the perched bird, lol. Will try to remember that feature.

 

[kuzeycem]

Cem, LLB doesn't show such conspicious pale median coverts. It's a Buteo buteo ssp.

Are we talking about the same bird? My bird is perched on a tree and shows a pale head with gradually darkening underparts.

 

[lou salomon]

No, sorry. I meant the flying ones. I'm not sure about bird 3, but wouldn't dismiss a pale Common Buzzard.