Raptors - UK (1 Viewer)

DGRW

Well-known member

• Aug 8, 2007

• #1

The attached photograph was taken by a friend of mine on another forum.

The smaller bird was being mobbed by the larger bird.

I think that the larger bird is a Common Buzzard and the smaller bird is a Red Kite.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j83/DGRW/Kites.jpg

This is the smaller bird enlarged:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j83/DGRW/rk.jpg

What do you think?

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Aug 8, 2007

• #2

i think: usually the smaller birds mob the bigger birds (buzzard is a classic "victim" of kestrels, crows etc.). the bigger one (?) seems to be a buzzard, hard to tell what the smaller one is (if it is indeed smaller) but most probably not a kite. kites are bigger, i.e. longer winged than common buzzards.

 

esmondb

The fool that MrT doesn't pity

• Aug 8, 2007

• #3

If the birds are close together then it surely can't be a kite. In flight they would appear to be of similar size.
While birds of prey do get territorial during the breeding season I can't recall any negative buzzard-kite interactions here in the Chilterns where both are numerous.
I also can't recall ever seeing a large raptor mobbing a smaller one, except when trying to rob food.

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2007

DGRW

Well-known member

• Aug 8, 2007

• #4

The Kite? could be further away than the Buzzard?........

Without meaning to be argumentative (genuinely); I've observed Buzzards, Ravens and Crows attacking Red Red Kites myself.

I also feel that whilst a Red Kite might have a marginally longer wingspan; it doesn't give anything like the same impression of bulk as a Buzzard.

PS: Do you not think that the tail is visible on the second pic?

 

esmondb

The fool that MrT doesn't pity

• Aug 8, 2007

• #5

I'm struggling to believe that's a red kite in that photo.
Size notwithstanding it almost looks like a hobby feeding on the wing.

 

DGRW

Well-known member

• Aug 8, 2007

• #6

Points all duly noted, the person that took the photograph assures me that the birds were "about the same size" though.

Thanks.

Any other appraisals greatly appreciated of course.

 

KnockerNorton

Well-known member

• Aug 8, 2007

• #7

I think the photo is so vague that you really cannot say either way. To try and pull out tail shape from that blur is a a question of faith too far, I'm afraid!

You're just gonna have to leave it as a 'don't know', as it could be a crow, a kite, another buzzard, almost anything.