Raptor sp., Mauritania (1 Viewer)

[Geo94]

Hi all, I've got the one photo attached (so apologies for not having a better photo/more angles) of a small-medium eagle-sized raptor taken this November in coastal clifftop habitat in northwest Mauritania. I won't make any suggestions to avoid leading anyone, but I'd be interested to hear what people think. Cheers

 

[Butty]

Booted eagle. But a) it's good to credit people with the ability to be objective, and b) it helps both you and the people trying to help you (and saves time) if you give all the available info from the outset - including your own thoughts, which will be based not only on the photo but also on your own feelings from the field.

 

[tconzemi]

On range it should be juvenile Bonelli's Eagle, but more pictures needed to exclude African Hawk-eagle for sure

 

[Geo94]

Thanks both, I was leaning towards juvenile Bonelli's (given the reddish underparts, slender head and fine barring) but also considering the possibility of booted, with both occurring in the area. I hadn't considered hawk-eagle based on range, but is northern Mauritania possible for the species?

 

[tconzemi]

I hadn't considered hawk-eagle based on range, but is northern Mauritania possible for the species?

it would be exceptional but recorded at the border Mauretania/Senegal, the very thin barring excludes Booted and is better for Bonelli's anyway

 

[THE_FERN]

(Fwiw I thought Bonelli's on first seeing: not booted for me with that huge bill)

 

[Geo94]

Thanks very much both, sounds like juvenile Bonelli's is a good bet then - the one other (dreadful) photo I have of a marginally differently angle shows there is no black tail tip (in case that's of use re: hawk-eagle). Cheers

 

[Ratal]

Thanks very much both, sounds like juvenile Bonelli's is a good bet then - the one other (dreadful) photo I have of a marginally differently angle shows there is no black tail tip (in case that's of use re: hawk-eagle). Cheers

Could you post that image anyhow? Just so I can take a peek? And Mauritania? Yeah, that is a special place indeed. Very beautiful but goodness me does that desert need respecting as you travel about.

 

[Butty]

I've got the one photo attached (so apologies for not having a better photo/more angles)

the one other (dreadful) photo I have of a marginally differently angle

🤔

 

[Andy Adcock]

(Fwiw I thought Bonelli's on first seeing: not booted for me with that huge bill)

I actually thought it didn't look to have a big enough head and bill for Bonelli's?

 

[Geo94]

Thanks all - a couple of marginally different photos below, which provide a little extra detail of the primaries/tail.

And Ratal, it really is an interesting place to visit, particularly on migration - although agreed, travelling through the desert is certainly not to be taken lightly!

 

[Ratal]

African Hawk Eagle. The head, shoulder, rear wing, the upper white panel on the end of the wings.

 

[Butty]

The head, shoulder, rear wing . . .

. . . are . . . what? - as opposed to . . . what?

 

[Geo94]

Thanks both - Ratal, it would be great if you could explain why it's an African hawk eagle, and for opinions from anyone else who disagrees - AHE would be a pretty unexpected find in northern Mauritania from what I can gather from the available literature.

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi all, I've got the one photo attached (so apologies for not having a better photo/more angles) of a small-medium eagle-sized raptor taken this November in coastal clifftop habitat in northwest Mauritania. I won't make any suggestions to avoid leading anyone, but I'd be interested to hear what people think. Cheers

Hi. Juv bonelli's for me.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Hi. Juv bonelli's for me.

Here's one from Cyprus, look at the massive bill compared to the OP.