Bird of Prey (1 Viewer)

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

Hi all,
New member,names Andy and I am in Inverness,Scotland. I work on a miliotary air weapons range and see allsorts of birds daily.
Came across this fellow on my way home tonight but am unsure as to species,anyone help?
I managed to get within 2m of him/her!!was very humbling,it just carried on feeding.Pic is low resolution for the forum but can send better quality if required and different angles.

Thanks
Andy

Andrew Rowlands · Mar 15, 2004

Hi Andy and welcome.

More and better, if you would!

Cheers,

Andy.

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

As requested and thanks for the welcome.

Andy

Andrew Whitehouse · Mar 15, 2004

I guess it could be a very pale Common Buzzard, but it's quite an odd looking combination of colours (very rufous above). I wonder if it might be some sort of escape though, in which case it looks quite reminiscent of an American Ferruginous Hawk. Would be interested to see more pictures and hear more opinions though.

Steve · Mar 15, 2004

Well Im gonna call your bluff here, I reckon its a songbird deterent used on military airfields, and one or two civvy ones like cardiff, three things give it away????

over to you?

Steve G · Mar 15, 2004

Sharp intake of breath. This has to be a Falconer's bird-possibly Ferruginous Hawk. At first glance I thought it looked like an immature Bonelli's Eagle -course they're two a penny in Inverness!!

alcedo.atthis · Mar 15, 2004

Well Im gonna call your bluff here, I reckon its a songbird deterent used on military airfields, and one or two civvy ones like cardiff, three things give it away????

over to you.

I have PM'd Fifebirder saying the same thing. Just a "hint" of jesse's on the legs!!

Malky @ Westhill

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

Hi,
No honestly,no bluff. We have no bird deterrent at Tain and as I say I am familiar with the buzzards in the area. I was very suprised as to how close I managed to get to the bird though.

Regards
Andy

2 more for your perusal

Steve · Mar 15, 2004

you were no more than 2 metres from it in the pic to the left above this?

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

Steve,
Yes the pic on the right shows the fence where my car was.I went over the fence to take the pic.I can understand your misbelief,it certainly suprised me!

Steve · Mar 15, 2004

you can see your reflection in its eye in the first pic???

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

could it be a escaped falconers bird?is it worth reporting it to the RSPB?

Andrew Whitehouse · Mar 15, 2004

I can't see any jesses on it for sure, although the legs are mostly obscured. That said the tameness of it makes me think it's a captive bird and, having seen the new pictures, I'd still favour Ferruginous Hawk.

Steve G · Mar 15, 2004

I'm sure this is a Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) if so then there's a disgruntled falconer out there somewhere. There are no shortage of Falconry centres in Scotland-many attached to local tourist attractions > get your celebrity shortbread & feed the raptors!

Michael Frankis · Mar 15, 2004

Pale phase Ferruginous Hawk for me too. An escape of course, as Steve G hints it is probably a fairly valuable bird, there might perhaps be a reward out if you manage to catch it.

Michael

Steve G · Mar 15, 2004

Michael Frankis said:
Pale phase Ferruginous Hawk ...... it is probably a fairly valuable bird, there might perhaps be a reward out if you manage to catch it.

Michael

Try baiting it with shortbread.

Steve G · Mar 15, 2004

Is your mum on this thread Michael? As a Mrs Frankis is listed as an active viewer.

amwaluk · Mar 15, 2004

Thanks for the info.I will try and relocate the bird tomorrow and attempt to feed it.Certainly never crossed my mind at the time it could be an escapee.

Steve G · Mar 15, 2004

amwaluk said:
Thanks for the info.I will try and relocate the bird tomorrow and attempt to feed it.Certainly never crossed my mind at the time it could be an escapee.

Remember they seem to prefer cobalt budgies.

KC Foggin · Mar 15, 2004

Hi Andy. I see you've gotten pretty much the same answer here as on the About Forum. Let me offer you a warm welcome from the staff here at Bird Forum. See, it didn't take too long for someone to get to you

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