Algarve Kestrel (1 Viewer)

[guy_incognito]

Lesser vs. Eurasian Kestrel? Near Loule, Portugal, on July 25. The back appears rather plain, but the facial pattern is more like the expected Eurasian? Thanks.

 

[kb57]

It's an interesting one because it appears to have quite a grey-hooded appearance, suggesting Lesser. However think it is Eurasian for me - structure (long wings), facial pattern (as you said - moustache), plus I think I can see some dark markings on the back, and no grey band to the black primaries.

Lesser would be exceptional in Loulé at this time of year - the relatively few eBird records for the Algarve are early and late season migrants - easy enough to see breeding in Castro Verde - Mértola area though, which isn't that far away.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Yes, definitely Common Kestrel.

 

[Halx020]

Possibly a lesser kestrel due to the slightly longer center feathers on the tail and the more round tip to the wings. I can’t be completely positive but I am leaning toward lesser.

 

[THE_FERN]

Possibly a lesser kestrel due to the slightly longer center feathers on the tail and the more round tip to the wings. I can’t be completely positive but I am leaning toward lesser.

Wing formula is common kestrel isn't it?

 

[Bewick]

Possibly a lesser kestrel due to the slightly longer center feathers on the tail and the more round tip to the wings. I can’t be completely positive but I am leaning toward lesser.

Got to disagree, along with what has been mentioned already, the outermost primaries is shorter than the 7th primary.

 

[Butty]

slightly longer center feathers on the tail

Highly unreliable 'feature'. In my opinion.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Possibly a lesser kestrel due to the slightly longer center feathers on the tail and the more round tip to the wings. I can’t be completely positive but I am leaning toward lesser.

it is moulting, which is totally normal at this time of the year, but nothing pointing to LK here.