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Sparrowhawk (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter albatross02
- Start date
Jane Turner
Well-known member
I can lose the horns and gice it a blue-grey crown, making it look even more like a Southern American Kestrel... well I have to do something while we wait to be put out of our misery.
Whether the head is facing the camera or is turned to the side is open to question, but I can't make out the breast of that bird to be anything other than warm brown.
I'm sure there was a mention of an escape American Kessie in Germany - or was I dreaming?
It was Northern Germany and the male was a South American bird! Still clutching at straws, but what else is there to do? Its also just occured to me that I might be seeing this bird facing a different direction to other people - I reckon the warm brown is breast and the grey is wing
Whether the head is facing the camera or is turned to the side is open to question, but I can't make out the breast of that bird to be anything other than warm brown.
I'm sure there was a mention of an escape American Kessie in Germany - or was I dreaming?
It was Northern Germany and the male was a South American bird! Still clutching at straws, but what else is there to do? Its also just occured to me that I might be seeing this bird facing a different direction to other people - I reckon the warm brown is breast and the grey is wing
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M Cowming
Well-known member
For Jane; Don't know if it's the bird you're referring to but I think this one was seen in 2003, Hessen (Mid Germany).
Something to think about anyway and fabulous photos......
http://www.kuechen-stoecker.de/naturfoto/Naturblick_Web_Site/017_Fotoarchiv_Der_Buntfalke.htm
Something to think about anyway and fabulous photos......
http://www.kuechen-stoecker.de/naturfoto/Naturblick_Web_Site/017_Fotoarchiv_Der_Buntfalke.htm
Jane Turner
Well-known member
M Cowming said:
It is - but alas its a light morph... well I guess there might be a dark morph one on the loose too
Thanks though!
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London Birder
Well-known member
I know it's very difficult to determine on the photo's so far, particularly given it's not obvious which way the head is facing, but do all races of American Kestrel show the dark 'ocillae' (black stripe to rear of pale cheek) or do some lack it?
I sorta feel the birds head is more to the left than head-on, I think I can see a suggestion of a small bill ... cannot be sure however
I sorta feel the birds head is more to the left than head-on, I think I can see a suggestion of a small bill ... cannot be sure however
M Cowming
Well-known member
My last contribution to American kessies......
Don't bother if you have a slow connection...these are video clips!!..takes a while.
http://www.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=839
Don't bother if you have a slow connection...these are video clips!!..takes a while.
http://www.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=839
Jane Turner
Well-known member
M Cowming said:
Number 12 looks like a good match.....
London Birder
Well-known member
if Janes interpretation is right (ie the way it's facing, breast on) then it's clearly a dark (or intermediate given the paleness of the head?) morph American Kestrel ... if I'm honest however I'm not sure and suspect it may be a Eurasian Kestrel side on ... anyone still maintaining Peregrine ?
mjmw
formally known as mw_aurora
I agree, I thought it was more side on (even body facing slightly away), with the head turned more towards the camera, but still facing left (I agree with the hint of a bill) - hence my thoughts earlier about the pale chin. I still think there is something (maybe just shadow) over the upper flanks/breast.
Here is a simple, colour removed version, cropped and re-sized up 2x.
Here is a simple, colour removed version, cropped and re-sized up 2x.
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London Birder said:
What changed?
Jane Turner
Well-known member
mw_aurora said:
Again seeing which way it flew in the video would help loads!
Not to insult anyone but it is pretty hard to mistake a Peregrine Falcon for an American Kestrel. American kestrel is just 5cm larger than a European Starling to put things in perspective. I'm going with Eurasian Kestrel. Check Out the link. http://www.themodernapprentice.com/EURkestrel.htm
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
C0ops said:
I don't know about you - but I don't know how big that tree/bush is! A hint from Dieter would help - as well as which way the bird is facing.
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Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
My first feeling about the bush from the structur of the branches was that it is an Elder bush (Sambucus nigra) , but this ID can be way off....thats one additional reason why I was thinking kestrel, apart from the impression I got from the bird...
James Lowther
Well-known member
This still rumbling on?.....
excellent
excellent
London Birder
Well-known member
Xenospiza said:
Peregrines do occasionally sit in trees for sure , but I think that link is showing a Hobby
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lou salomon
the birdonist
C0ops said:
great size comparison! jane, we've bombed dieter already with PMs to gives us those flight grabs... :smoke:
Brian Stone
A Stone chatting
:clap: :clap:London Birder said:
Xenospiza
Distracted
I knew someone would fall for that trap (I had to look at least twice myself)! I can assure you it's an immature (ringed) Peregrine photographed by a top birdwatcher who sees dozens of Peregrines and 100s of Hobbies a year! Breast streaking in Hobby is never that fine, bill is smaller, facial markings are different…London Birder said:
