Kestrel or Not. UK (1 Viewer)

Saphire

Christine

• Jul 13, 2008

• #1

Is this a tatty looking Kestrel.

 

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StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Jul 13, 2008

• #2

No, though it is certainly tatty looking, I think its a Peregrine.

 

Saphire

Christine

• Jul 13, 2008

• #3

Thanks Stuart, Sorry the photo is iffy but that is a 100% crop, it was so high up I think I would have struggled with a longer lens than the 400mm.
I did wonder whether I maybe wrong with Kestrel because of the height and just kept going higher until it was no longer visible.

 

jerkin

Well-known member

• Jul 13, 2008

• #4

No its a Peregrine

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Jul 13, 2008

• #5

Saphire said:

I did wonder whether I maybe wrong with Kestrel because of the height and just kept going higher until it was no longer visible.

Click to expand...

Kestrels can also fly up pretty high, thermalling with the best of them, so wouldn't necessarily exclude them if you saw a bird flying up high . .

Note the bulky build and wing shape of Peregrine (distinctive anchor shape . .) Kestrels are thinner winged and body, with a longer tail.
You can also see the dark cheek patches in your pics (larger and more contrasty than kestrel).

Edit: A really tatty looking bird could also be an escaped falconers bird (eg Barbary falcon/hybrid/ . . . ?? Looks quite brown underneath . . or would that be down to the low lighting conditions at the time? Guess a juvenile (don't know if it's a little early for them?) wouldn't look anything like this tatty?? . . .

 

Last edited: Jul 13, 2008

C

charlierocky

Well-known member

• Jul 14, 2008

• #6

I would be inclined towards Peregrine, again wing shape and the shadow of the mustache. Certainly not to early for the juveniles, I've been watching four of them hunting for several weeks.

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Jul 14, 2008

• #7

I'm not sure we can read to much from the apparent colour in these photos given that they're large crops from images taken against a bright sky. However, it looks to be in active moult with what looks like two generations of feathers apparent in the tail. This would make it an adult, rather than a juvenile, as the latter would have a complete set of fresh feathers at this time of year.

Stuart

 

J

Jeff Bouton

Well-known member

• Jul 15, 2008

• #8

Agreed, I definitely think this an adult peragrine, broad base of wings, VERY pronounced helmeted look with distinct mustachial, and light breast contrasting with darker markings beginning at upper belly/lower breast!

Even without great detail, this is perfect for an adult peregrine.

Best,

Jeff Bouton
Florida, USA

 

John B (not the sloop)

Don't blame me I didn't vote for 'em

• Aug 9, 2008

• #9

Needs a barber!

Definitely the mankiest looking Peregrine I've ever seen. A Kestrel would look skinnier with a noticeably longer tail. Nice pictures though....:clap: