Is this possibly a snowy owl ? (2 Viewers)

[alisonb]

View attachment 1549804
Doesn't help much (yet)!

I have asked a friend to help out with it , so hoping I can get the video uploaded soon , thank you

 

[PYRTLE]

Barn owls are often mistaken for Snowy Owls.

Whilst unfortunately some gulls are misidentified as owls, especially at distance. I'm with post #3.

 

[William Lewis]

From video definitely barn own for me.

 

[Mike Earp]

From video definitely barn own for me.

Funny, I see a definite gull!

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Thanks Paul,

I was going only by shape and proportions of the bird which fits a Raven (or a larger Falcon or a Gull) best imo. So I thought (and still think) that the video might well turn this into a (n identifiable) Raven. I know that albino Ravens are very rare, but exist (havent seen one yet) and considering Alisons impression of an owl I thougt a pale/whitish (Gyr/hybrid) Falcon would also worth considering.

So a white bird was always in my mind, but somehow I skipped this in my comment. Sorry and thanks to all!

 

[jogresh]

Barn Owl for me.

 

[RichieTwitchy]

Alexander is a man of great knowledge, but personally - yes, you may ask why I don't just wait for the video to be uploaded but ah, then that wouldn't be as much fun would it - from my own edited images from the available screenshots, I'm seeing a Barn Owl.

And, from the bit of digital distortion I have highlighted, that looks like a possible large head turned as it searches for prey.

 

[nartreb]

The video is available - just click the "download" button on the iCloud page.

Unfortunately the bird is very small and distant. It's flying low and might be following the wall but I can't tell how far past the wall it is... it might just be crossing the field. It does a sudden J-turn before landing, which seems slightly odd for a gull, but on the other hand I have the impression of dark wingtips???

 

[Richard Dale]

The video shows an unambiguous black-headed gull to me - pointed wingtips, flight action, plumage and behaviour all seem fine. Certainly lacks the front-heavy appearance and characteristic flight of a barn owl throughout.

 

[RichieTwitchy]

For those having trouble downloading the video...

 

[Bewick]

The video shows an unambiguous black-headed gull to me - pointed wingtips, flight action, plumage and behaviour all seem fine. Certainly lacks the front-heavy appearance and characteristic flight of a barn owl throughout.

Agreed- definitely, also you can sort of the see the typical greyish tone to the wings and back at certain points in the video.

 

[alisonb]

For those having trouble downloading the video...

Thank you for adding the video and for everyone’s opinions , I was still struggling but think it will also now open on the iCloud link ,
Thanks Alison

 

[bob the birder]

Agree with Black headed gull. Seems a typical flight pattern when flying low.

 

[seawatcher]

Black-headed gull (can't see how anyone could suggest an owl or a raven, even with the poor quality screen shot that was posted originally. It looks just like some of my worst photos 😉 (no offence intended)

 

[William Lewis]

Yes, that second video where you can zoom in looks much more gull like!

 

[Bubbs]

It’s still a gull. Black-headed.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Agree, Gull species.

 

[Butty]

For those having trouble downloading the video...

From this, zoomed, you can see the upperwing's contrastingly-white outer-forewing blaze of an adult black-headed gull. Wing-shape is also now clearly not any owl. Before, it was equivocal - now, it isn't.

 

[Prestdj]

could never see this as an owl everthing was wrong wings tail

 

[RichieTwitchy]

After all that - it was a blimmin Gull!

Damn you Birdforum...