Hello Everyone, bird ID help, Kent (1 Viewer)

[PhilJJ]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie on this forum. Thought I was really good with my birds infact, didn't think there was much in the uk that could throw me now but something that seemed so obvious at first glance has thrown me a bit, picture is not great as was just from my phone so I'll post a couple. But it was definatley to big for a kestrel which is why I studied it. Before I say what I think it is I'll let you guys give me your ideas, because there may be a little twist to come which might make you think again.

Kind regards

Phil

 

[delia todd]

Hi Phil and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I've moved your post to the ID forum, as they are better placed to help you. Someone will soon be along no doubt.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Looks like a Peregrine without a tail 😳 or maybe not - the lack of tail is confusing the shape!

 

[PhilJJ]

Looks like a Peregrine without a tail 😳 or maybe not - the lack of tail is confusing the shape!

Hi Deb, yes confusing right? Bright white fluffy tail like a bunny rabbit it had, let's see what others think

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum!

 

[PhilJJ]

Hi Phil and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I've moved your post to the ID forum, as they are better placed to help you. Someone will soon be along no doubt.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

Thanks Delia

 

[PYRTLE]

Yes, a tailess falcon. Really difficult to proceed any further on this image. Could be an escape, sorry cant assist any more tbh.

 

[Butty]

Kestrel imitating a bateleur.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Phil,
welcome to birdforum!
I must admit, that male Kestrel was my gut feeling too. With what appears to be quite unbarred (yes, whishful thinking with a picture of a quality like that. No offense!) pale whitish-cream underwing with black wingtip/lining and colouration of the body. But then I read, that it was clearly bigger than a Kestrel.
Despite that, I downloaded the picture and enlarged it, looking if leg-colouration is ID-friendly warm orange-yellow. But legs seems a paler yellow. Yes, thats within variation for a Kestrel, but with knowing the size of the bird, and seemingly bad head pattern for a Kestrel, I cant go further than agreeing with all, that this seems to be a falcon-like bird, that has lost its tail.
Is it possible to see the original pictures?

 

[PhilJJ]

Hello Phil,
welcome to birdforum!
I must admit, that male Kestrel was my gut feeling too. With what appears to be quite unbarred (yes, whishful thinking with a picture of a quality like that. No offense!) pale whitish-cream underwing with black wingtip/lining and colouration of the body. But then I read, that it was clearly bigger than a Kestrel.
Despite that, I downloaded the picture and enlarged it, looking if leg-colouration is ID-friendly warm orange-yellow. But legs seems a paler yellow. Yes, thats within variation for a Kestrel, but with knowing the size of the bird, and seemingly bad head pattern for a Kestrel, I cant go further than agreeing with all, that this seems to be a falcon-like bird, that has lost its tail.
Is it possible to see

Hello Phil,
welcome to birdforum!
I must admit, that male Kestrel was my gut feeling too. With what appears to be quite unbarred (yes, whishful thinking with a picture of a quality like that. No offense!) pale whitish-cream underwing with black wingtip/lining and colouration of the body. But then I read, that it was clearly bigger than a Kestrel.
Despite that, I downloaded the picture and enlarged it, looking if leg-colouration is ID-friendly warm orange-yellow. But legs seems a paler yellow. Yes, thats within variation for a Kestrel, but with knowing the size of the bird, and seemingly bad head pattern for a Kestrel, I cant go further than agreeing with all, that this seems to be a falcon-like bird, that has lost its tail.
Is it possible to see the original pictures

Hello Phil,
welcome to birdforum!
I must admit, that male Kestrel was my gut feeling too. With what appears to be quite unbarred (yes, whishful thinking with a picture of a quality like that. No offense!) pale whitish-cream underwing with black wingtip/lining and colouration of the body. But then I read, that it was clearly bigger than a Kestrel.
Despite that, I downloaded the picture and enlarged it, looking if leg-colouration is ID-friendly warm orange-yellow. But legs seems a paler yellow. Yes, thats within variation for a Kestrel, but with knowing the size of the bird, and seemingly bad head pattern for a Kestrel, I cant go further than agreeing with all, that this seems to be a falcon-like bird, that has lost its tail.
Is it possible to see the original pictures?

Hi Alexander, unfortunately the first image is the origional, didn't have my slr on me so this was taken on my phone.

 

[Butty]

. . . I read, that it was clearly bigger than a Kestrel . . . with knowing the size of the bird . . .

Judging the size of a lone bird is notoriously unreliable - for anyone.

 

[PhilJJ]

Judging the size of a lone bird is notoriously unreliable - for anyone.

That's true, get a lot of birds of prey (buzzards, kestrels, hobbys, Marsh harriers, red kites and the odd peregrine) down here though and this one's thrown me, maybe the lack of tail has caused some kind of scale illusion

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[PhilJJ]

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

Thanks for the welcome