Tall broad 'muscular' looking bird in North West London. ID please! (1 Viewer)

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Potato80

Member

• Aug 8, 2020

• #1

Hi all.

First time poster. Spotted this chap in the garden this morning. There's plenty of birds around here, but I've never seen one as large as this. Thought it was a crow initially, but the colour is actually quite varied, and it was much larger than a crow. It also 'walked/waddled' rather than hopped.

Quality not great, I know.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

We live near a large country park, and I know there are birds of prey in it

https://youtu.be/Soco_HVPATk

 

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PW23

Well-known member

• Aug 8, 2020

• #2

Looks like a Hooded Crow to me. I didn't think they occurred in London but an expert on here will confirm.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Aug 8, 2020

• #3

Carrion x Hooded Crow hybrid? Or just a normal Carrion Crow catching the light in an odd way. Don't think it's a pure Hooded Crow.


PS welcome to Birdforum!

 

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Potato80

Member

• Aug 8, 2020

• #4

Thanks for the replies. Having googled a Hooded Crow, it does resemble it a bit, but my bird seemed larger and it's hindquarters were much more muscular-looking. Maybe it's a cross, like you say.

 

Deb Burhinus

Used to be well known! 😎

• Aug 8, 2020

• #5

Are you sure it wasnt a female Sparrowhawk - it sort of walks like one and the legs look long and thin (and yellowish? ( @ 0.6)- it spends a lot of time appearing to be bending over something - mantling over prey perhaps?

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Aug 8, 2020

• #6

Defo a crow....Hoodies do wander but vid not close enough to rule out hybrid

 

Deb Burhinus

Used to be well known! 😎

• Aug 8, 2020

• #7

just watched the vid on a normal screen (rather than mobile) and realised the bird’s head is visible, its dark so didnt notice it against the trees. I must admit it looks better for a corvid now despite the description by the OP.

 

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Potato80

Member

• Aug 8, 2020

• #8

Cheers. I'll keep a look out in the future for a better picture

 

Deb Burhinus

Used to be well known! 😎

• Aug 8, 2020

• #9

Welcome to Birdforum btw Potato80.