ID please

Richard Insall · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:10

A mate took this picture yesterday and neither of us can identify it.
It looks like a raptor of some kind. A foreign visitor, or escapee?
Any ideas anyone?

HH75 · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:20

Hi Richard,
I am assuming that this was taken somewhere in Britain, judging by your own location?
I'd go for a pale Common Buzzard with this, plumage and structure would fit: some can get very pale indeed. Any thoughts of Rough-legged can be discounted by the unfeathered legs alone, though it doesn't look right for one regardless, at least to my eyes.
Regards,
Harry

Richard Insall · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:46

Hello
Yes, mainland Britain.
He thought Buzzard of some kind, especially when it flew.

Richard Insall · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:51

Someone has suggested Osprey. That seems possible.

Steve Lister · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:52

Very strong head pattern for a pale Common Buzzard - is there anything else it could be?

Will get 'Raptors of the World' out later.

Steve

stevejelf · Friday 8th November 2019, 10:59

Any chance its a wet Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus , the face looks right

They are becoming common in SW France
I have been watching one for the past 6 weeks from the kitchen table

Richard Insall · Friday 8th November 2019, 11:01

I'm still leaning towards Osprey.

Steve Lister · Friday 8th November 2019, 11:10

Not an Osprey. Head pattern wrong.

Seth Miller · Friday 8th November 2019, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Lister

Not an Osprey. Head pattern wrong.

Agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevejelf

Any chance its a wet Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus , the face looks right

They are becoming common in SW France
I have been watching one for the past 6 weeks from the kitchen table

Doesn't look right over all to me, seems to have way to much dark overall and the shape just isn't quite right.

THE_FERN · Friday 8th November 2019, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Miller

Agree.

Doesn't look right over all to me, seems to have way to much dark overall and the shape just isn't quite right.

Common buzzard for me. Definitely not osprey or kite

Simon Wates · Friday 8th November 2019, 14:26

Common Buzzard for me too, perfect structure. The photo has an alarming amount of contrast I think.

tconzemi · Friday 8th November 2019, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wates

Common Buzzard for me too, perfect structure. The photo has an alarming amount of contrast I think.

Agree

Larry Sweetland · Friday 8th November 2019, 19:38

+1 for buzzard

Friday 8th November 2019, 10:10	#1
Richard Insall Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oundle Posts: 4	ID please A mate took this picture yesterday and neither of us can identify it. It looks like a raptor of some kind. A foreign visitor, or escapee? Any ideas anyone? Attached Thumbnails

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Friday 8th November 2019, 10:20	#2
HH75 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cork,Ireland Posts: 4,377	Hi Richard, I am assuming that this was taken somewhere in Britain, judging by your own location? I'd go for a pale Common Buzzard with this, plumage and structure would fit: some can get very pale indeed. Any thoughts of Rough-legged can be discounted by the unfeathered legs alone, though it doesn't look right for one regardless, at least to my eyes. Regards, Harry

Friday 8th November 2019, 10:46	#3
Richard Insall Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oundle Posts: 4	Hello Yes, mainland Britain. He thought Buzzard of some kind, especially when it flew.

Friday 8th November 2019, 10:51	#4
Richard Insall Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oundle Posts: 4	Someone has suggested Osprey. That seems possible.

Friday 8th November 2019, 10:52	#5
Steve Lister World Birder, ex-County Recorder, Garden Moth-er Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire Posts: 4,331 My location	Very strong head pattern for a pale Common Buzzard - is there anything else it could be? Will get 'Raptors of the World' out later. Steve

Friday 8th November 2019, 10:59	#6
stevejelf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: France Bearn Posts: 68	Any chance its a wet Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus , the face looks right They are becoming common in SW France I have been watching one for the past 6 weeks from the kitchen table

Friday 8th November 2019, 11:01	#7
Richard Insall Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oundle Posts: 4	I'm still leaning towards Osprey.

Friday 8th November 2019, 11:10	#8
Steve Lister World Birder, ex-County Recorder, Garden Moth-er Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire Posts: 4,331 My location	Not an Osprey. Head pattern wrong.

Friday 8th November 2019, 14:26	#11
Simon Wates Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Algarve, Portugal Posts: 6,286	Common Buzzard for me too, perfect structure. The photo has an alarming amount of contrast I think.

Friday 8th November 2019, 19:38	#13
Larry Sweetland Formerly 'Larry Wheatland' Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,631	+1 for buzzard