Fairly larger raptor at Frankfurt Airport (1 Viewer)

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Allen S. Moore

Well-known member

• May 12, 2015

• #1

I had a 5 hour wait between flights at Frankfurt Airport on 3rd May. At one stage I saw a fairly large raptor over the far end of the airfield. It was too distant to be 100% sure, but it looked a bit like a Common Buzzard or a Marsh Harrier. Are those species in the area, or is it more likely to be something else?

(P.S. I am not wanting to identify the bird from possibilities, but I am curious as to what it might have been!)

 

dalat

...

• May 12, 2015

• #2

The default raptor is certainly Common Buzzard. Red Kites are also likely in that type of "habitat".

I wouldn't really expect a Marsh Harrier around the airport, but can't be excluded of course.

 

A

Allen S. Moore

Well-known member

• May 12, 2015

• #3

dalat said:

The default raptor is certainly Common Buzzard. Red Kites are also likely in that type of "habitat".

I wouldn't really expect a Marsh Harrier around the airport, but can't be excluded of course.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

 

Maffong

Well-known member

• May 17, 2015

• #4

Marsh and Hen Harriers are pretty common along airports though. The latter are probably gone now, but I certainly wouldn't exclude Marsh.

Cheers Maffong

 

J

jring

Well-known member

• Sep 16, 2015

• #5

Hi,

there was a pair of black kite nesting around 2km north of the frankfurt airport this year (across the river from my balcony). They have been been photgraphed by planespotters at the airport:

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/36159072

Joachim

 

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Mickster1000

Mickster1000

• Sep 16, 2015

• #6

That's a photo of a Red Kite!

 

J

jring

Well-known member

• Sep 17, 2015

• #7

Mickster1000 said:

That's a photo of a Red Kite!

Click to expand...

Now after reading and watching images some more I concur - obviously the tail form and colour are kinda negotiable but counting feathers at the wing end helps...

Need to look closer on my pair when back but fishing all day seems more like black...

Joachim

 

T

Tarsiger

Well-known member

• Sep 17, 2015

• #8

I don't think you need be counting primaries on that bird!!��
Russ

 

T

trooper

John B.

• Oct 5, 2015

• #9

jring said:

Now after reading and watching images some more I concur - obviously the tail form and colour are kinda negotiable but counting feathers at the wing end helps...

Need to look closer on my pair when back but fishing all day seems more like black...

Joachim

Click to expand...

The tail form and colour are totally not negotiable, that is a 100% red kite. A black kite is chocolate brown below, sometimes with a rufous tone and the tail lacks the obvious fork of the red kite. There are a dozen other differences starting with shape and size and going into flight and jizz. If you are unsure about identifieing confusion species, I would recommend the Helm guide to Bird identification, a very well written and illustrated guide to confusion species.

John.