Raptor in Bavaria June 15, 2023 (1 Viewer)

[jmercer]

I saw this raptor at a distance and thought Sparrowhawk or Harrier. I got two distant pictures and neither seems to fit the bill, any thoughts?
John

 

[maplekong]

Hello, did you notice anything about its flight pattern?

 

[Butty]

Kestrel

 

[maplekong]

Kestrel

Likely

 

[jmercer]

It was distant, and I thought Accipiter, but it disappeared so quickly. Merlin and iNaturalist both say Kestrel, but to me the wings don't look pointy enough, Falcon was not my initial impression, but it was a quick look.
John

 

[maplekong]

Yes I was typing, the wings aren't so forward swept. I might go for a harrier, that's a rather unconventional situation for a sparrowhawk to be in- soaring high.

 

[Butty]

soaring

Flapping or gliding - it's not soaring (and sparrowhawks do soar, and fly high, reasonably commonly).

 

[maplekong]

Ok, thanks Butty- still learning, but just from observing the photo, I don't think it's a Kestrel.

 

[Stonefaction]

Agree with Kestrel. Here's an album of Kestrel photos, some of which show some of the same features in the photos here.

Kestrel

Explore this photo album by stonefaction on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[jmercer]

Thanks all, it has been helpful. I am going with Kestrel, I got one much closer today, so they are definitely in the area.