Bird ID, Martil (northern Morocco) (1 Viewer)

[Acrocephalus]

I received this from a friend of mine; it was photographed last week in Martil, Tangier peninsula (northern Morocco). Sorry for the quality of the picture, it was very far. Do you have any idea of what is it?

Thanks,

 

[marek_walford]

Could be Marsh Owl.

 

[Steve Schoech]

Wild guess ... short-eared owl? The second photo suggests a very blunt head and the wing positions the fluttery flight characteristic of the SEO ...

 

[Richard Klim]

Dark body and wing-coverts seem to favour Marsh Owl rather than Short-eared Owl.

 

[phil baber]

The dark underwing coverts and secondaries on the underwing favour Marsh Owl IMO.

EDIT: X-posted with Richard.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi all,

I confirm Marsh Owls. By the way, Marsh Owl is an easy species, while I struggled to get Short-eared in Morocco, where I've probably the best list for the country (about 350 sp seen in 20+ trips), finally found (2 times) at Moulouya estuary in November.

I've been 10 years member of the rare birds committee and they are indeed very little records, though it passes through the country every year, for sure...

Cheers

 

[Steve Schoech]

I almost put Marsh Owl in my above speculation. Never seen one but the shot just reminded me of the many Short-eared Owls I've seen ... same genus, and similar habitat and habits, I assume.

 

[Acrocephalus]

Thank you all for your replies. I thought about Marsh Owl as well, but because the species was not recorded this far north since ages made me think twice about it. It should be remembered though that the Marsh Owl was breeding here (in Smir marshes) just a few decades ago. Nice record indeed, I will ask the photographer (Rachid El Khamlichi) to send me the original photographs.