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Raptor, Australia (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Wiganlad
- Start date
It looks like a Whistling Kite to me. Shape and wing pattern is wrong for a sea eagle.
Larry Sweetland
Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'
Looks like a Whistling Kite to me too
Chosun Juan
Given to Fly
I really can't be sure from those photos.
Most look to be juvvy WBSE, one or two suggest juvvy WK.
I'd like a clearer look at the bill, but in the first pic, the head looks to be more heavy set than WK for me (I've seen great variation in WK bills though - including one that could have passed for WTE !). Ditto the body, and the feet in that shot too.
One of the shots banking away shows very long wings.
If I was forced to bet, I'd say juvvy WBSE.
I will have another look after a good night's sleep !
Chosun :gh:
Most look to be juvvy WBSE, one or two suggest juvvy WK.
I'd like a clearer look at the bill, but in the first pic, the head looks to be more heavy set than WK for me (I've seen great variation in WK bills though - including one that could have passed for WTE !). Ditto the body, and the feet in that shot too.
One of the shots banking away shows very long wings.
If I was forced to bet, I'd say juvvy WBSE.
I will have another look after a good night's sleep !
Chosun :gh:
And me. Wing shape surely too "flat" for the Eagle, with no secondary bulge. The hand is about as wide or wider than the rest of the wing, and the wing doesn't narrow immediately before it
sicklebill
well-known Cretaceous relic
Whjstling Kite, wing pattern, tail shape and pale head all typical, one of the photos does suggest a W-b Sea-eagle but again a case of a photo being misleading
Chosun Juan
Given to Fly
I tried sharpening those photos - but to no avail, it didn't reveal anything more to me.
I don't know whether it's the blurriness that makes the head /body look bigger than they actually are or what .... ?
Here's my druthers:-
1st photo - the base of the wings joining the body looks very long - suggesting WBSE. Anyone like to comment on that aspect ?
- I'm not sure if the head /body are large, or large enough for WBSE - ditto the feet (also not sure if they are positioned far enough back).
Yesterday I saw a pic of a WK carrying a ~2-2&1/2 lb bream aloft ! The variations in size and strength of WK's never ceases to amaze me !
Photo 3 the wings look really long - suggesting WBSE. All other shots are suggesting normal WK wingspan.
The tail. I can't work out if it's too long or not for WBSE .... ?
Looking at photo 5, the tail/body/wing relationship looks more WK. In fact I think this photo seals it for me for WK for now.
The only thing I can say for certain is that it is a juvenile bird !
I still haven't had a chance to check my books - I need sleep zzzzzz
P.S. If there were any Noisy Miners around they definitely would have freaked out more at a WBSE .....
Chosun :gh:
I don't know whether it's the blurriness that makes the head /body look bigger than they actually are or what .... ?
Here's my druthers:-
1st photo - the base of the wings joining the body looks very long - suggesting WBSE. Anyone like to comment on that aspect ?
- I'm not sure if the head /body are large, or large enough for WBSE - ditto the feet (also not sure if they are positioned far enough back).
Yesterday I saw a pic of a WK carrying a ~2-2&1/2 lb bream aloft ! The variations in size and strength of WK's never ceases to amaze me !
Photo 3 the wings look really long - suggesting WBSE. All other shots are suggesting normal WK wingspan.
The tail. I can't work out if it's too long or not for WBSE .... ?
Looking at photo 5, the tail/body/wing relationship looks more WK. In fact I think this photo seals it for me for WK for now.
The only thing I can say for certain is that it is a juvenile bird !
I still haven't had a chance to check my books - I need sleep zzzzzz
P.S. If there were any Noisy Miners around they definitely would have freaked out more at a WBSE .....
Chosun :gh:
Last edited:
birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
Whistling kite for sure
Deb Burhinus
Used to be well known! 😎
Agree - also lack of dark terminal band on inner primaries, long tail, short neck immediately rule out W-bSE.
Chosun Juan
Given to Fly
I've had a look through some of my old juvvy WBSE and WK photos. Apart from everything else that has been mentioned the position of the feet are only about 1/4 of the way along the tail in photo 1. (In WBSE the feet reach to about half of the tail length).
So definitely a Whistling Kite.
Chosun :gh:
So definitely a Whistling Kite.
Chosun :gh:
Thank you all for your very interesting comments and knowledge. I usually see Whistling Kites at Richmond Lake and have seen Sea Eagle a couple of times. I assumed this was a kite but suddenly felt the body was very bulky and the wings seemed very long, which is why I sought better advice. I'm glad that I can now definitely say that it's either a kite or a sea eagle! I'm just happy that I don't need the footage for my personal library of either bird since it thankfully already contains definitive views of both. Once again, I am very grateful to all the knowledge shown on this site and marvel at the intricacies of your expertise.
Larry Sweetland
Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'
That's how it seems to me too! There's no doubt that it's a Whistling Kite.
sicklebill
well-known Cretaceous relic
Er yes, why did I bother to post earlier.....
Huge apologies to anyone I have upset with my earlier comment. I don't do texting or email very often and this shows just how thoughts in my head can come over very differently when I slap them down hurriedly on paper without any of the body language and verbal tone that my head wants to include. My intention was to highlight my gratitude at the superb knowledge of other contributors yet also show how complex one set of pics of one bird can be even to those far more knowledgeable than I. I really do appreciate all your help and can indeed see that the decision is Whistling kite.
sicklebill
well-known Cretaceous relic
No worries, glad you got it resolved
