Need help identifying this bird of prey... (1 Viewer)

[jpd63]

Apple photos reckons it's a Black Kite but on the day it was thought to be a Marsh Harrier. RSPB Burton Mere, March 2024

 

[tconzemi]

Apple photos is not an ID tool, google neither and all dedicated ID apps are not good in raptors.
Marsh it is

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

Apple ID isn’t 100% reliable - I’ve had some “interesting” IDs from it!

 

[Butty]

Immature male. Head pattern, outer wing pattern, tail/rump colours, tail shape (there's a gap in it, it's not forked), and building a nest in UK all stop it being a black kite.
Welcome to BF 👍🏻

 

[jpd63]

That's great, thanks for those responses and the warm welcome.

 

[Patudo]

Apple photos reckons it's a Black Kite

How much are people relying on things like this these days?

PS. that's fine photo - congrats on getting a very nice shot

 

[kb57]

Rather than use Apple, if you've got the image on your phone you can use the Merlin app - much more reliable, although not foolproof either, and can give you more than one alternative.
Bird Forum ID forum will always generate a number of well-informed responses - not always unanimous, although in this case the quality of your image (and location) leaves no room for doubt.

 

[Allen]

How much are people relying on things like this these days?

PS. that's fine photo - congrats on getting a very nice shot

I use Google Lens quite a bit for plants and it seems quite accurate but then again a) I'm not expert on what it tells me although i know enough to know if its very wrong And b) I can get a very close photo of these! So it can be a useful tool in certain scenarios