What harrier is this? (1 Viewer)

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Gleb Berloff

Guest

• Aug 28, 2019

• #1

Hello everyone,
A few weeks back I saw this harrier over a massive, massive field whilst flying over a road, not very high above the ground. The fact it is a harrier I assume is because of the white band on its tail? (The hen harrier I took on the Russian field two days ago had a very similar band in the same spot)
Could this be a Montagu's harrier? I can see only four fingers on its wings- on the one two days ago there were five. Moscow oblast where I am right now is a place where the Montagu's harrier is much more common than the hen harrier. Theoretically, this could also very potentially be a pallid harrier, but they are so rare in the region (but still possible- I know of a nesting pair about 20 km away) I am prepared to not even consider that option. The fact that it is a ringtail I think is obvious. Any ideas?

 

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pianoman

duck and diver, bobolink and weaver

• Aug 28, 2019

• #2

I think I see five fingers on the right wing, and it the wing looks rather broad, even allowing for the angle

 

R

Rotherbirder

Well-known member

• Aug 28, 2019

• #3

Looks like a Common Buzzard to me!?

RB

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Aug 28, 2019

• #4

Rotherbirder said:

Looks like a Common Buzzard to me!?

RB

Click to expand...

Doesn't really have a Harrier look to me either?

 

Jean FRANCOIS

Well-known member

• Aug 28, 2019

• #5

For me, it's more likely a Hen Harrier.
Very white rump. Large wing width.
Friendly
Jean

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Aug 28, 2019

• #6

I'm with Rotherbirder. It looks more like a buzzard.

 

S

Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Aug 28, 2019

• #7

I'd plump for Hen Harrier too. Wing shape looks good too to me, can´t see a Buteo.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Aug 29, 2019

• #8

The pattern of the wings excludes harrier IMO. The bird is heavy and has broad wings, so I'm in the CB camp.

 

G

Gleb Berloff

Guest

• Aug 29, 2019

• #9

Yes- I can now see a hen harrier in this image as well. Tail was way too long for a buzzard- I actually thought it was a black kite before I noticed the colouration. The one I saw three days ago had broad wings as well...
Thank you

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Aug 29, 2019

• #10

Actually the secondary pattern rules out a buzzard and not a HH, which this bird is. Probably juv male based on the very same secondary pattern.

 

rollingthunder

Well-known member

• Aug 29, 2019

• #11

Harrier for me too:t:

Laurie -

 

O

Orvany24

Well-known member

• Aug 29, 2019

• #12

As mentioned above by Jean - isn't the white patch at base of tail typical of Harriers as opposed to Buzzards?

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Aug 29, 2019

• #13

the correct answer is in post 10