Buzzard ID, norfolk UK (1 Viewer)

[Andy Benson]

See today in north norfolk, the upperparts of this bird were classic Rough-leg material! Thinki ng "WTF!" as it showed a dazzling white uppertail with chunky blackish termi nal band a nd pale primary bases. I ,ma naged a shot from below, notici ng the very pale rear e nd co ntrsting with the blackish tail ba nd but was expecti ng a ,more pro nou nced dark chest patch, this bird does show this, and in the right place but it is very feint. In flight it looked long winged, I thought it was a Osprey at first! Any veiws would be appreciated.

 

[scary-canary]

See today in north norfolk, the upperparts of this bird were classic Rough-leg material! Thinki ng "WTF!" as it showed a dazzling white uppertail with chunky blackish termi nal band a nd pale primary bases. I ,ma naged a shot from below, notici ng the very pale rear e nd co ntrsting with the blackish tail ba nd but was expecti ng a ,more pro nou nced dark chest patch, this bird does show this, and in the right place but it is very feint. In flight it looked long winged, I thought it was a Osprey at first! Any veiws would be appreciated.

I agree it looks a lot like osprey but isn't. As to what it is... buzzards come in all shapes and sizes, their wonders to perform!

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

It's a Rough-legged Buzzard indeed !

 

[joshjenkinsshaw]

I think its a pale phase Common Buzzard, although that tail does fit RL, I've seen a few Common Buzzards show this and set a few alarms off in my head.

 

[Andy Benson]

Tha nks for the feedback Josh, I would have thought the same if it wasn't for the distinctive uppertail pattern which was striking even at distance with bins!

 

[lou salomon]

diffuse trailing edge to wings and wing length say common buzzard to me. uppertail base can be white in very pale buzzards but (sub-)terminal black band usually more diffuse not contrasting towards pale base.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi,

Sorry to insist, but I'm stuck with Rough-legged Buzzard. I've add light on the photo.

You can see typical black carpal patch (1), feature to be used in adult only, but with such a black trailing edge (2) it is an adult.

Black terminal band on tail (3) is a good feature as well, when the base is pure white. It seems to be the case here.

I agree the shape is not typical of RLB, but on a single photo, the two species are very similar and I'd say it is not relevant here.

It is just my opinion.

Cheers,

 

[rockfowl]

Common Buzzard for me I'm afraid

 

[birdboybowley]

Just a pale Common as has been said....

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Birdboybowley and Rockfowl,

Thanks for giving an opinion, but you don't give any reason for your identification.

As said above, IMO wide trailing edge, black carpal patch and bicoloured tail pattern lead to Rough-legged Buzzard.

Cheers,

 

[scary-canary]

The likelihood of it being rlb in Norfolk at this time of the year means that it would be an unusual record. And as we know buzzards come in all shapes and sizes the chances of an oddly plumaged buzzard are greater that an oddly plumaged rlb. It just doesn't look big enough or broad winged enough for me.
If it had been december I might have convinced myself that it might have been.

 

[scary-canary]

The likelihood of it being rlb in Norfolk at this time of the year means that it would be an unusual record. And as we know buzzards come in all shapes and sizes the chances of an oddly plumaged buzzard are greater that an oddly plumaged rlb. It just doesn't look big enough or broad winged enough for me.
If it had been december I might have convinced myself that it might have been.

And let's be honest the picture isn't good enough for us to claim a rarity with.

 

[rockfowl]

IMO Valery,

Carpal patch not nearly strong enough, body colouration very pale even for a light adult RLB, tail pattern as previously mentioned, trailing edge diffuse not sharp, shape even taking into account the 'single image' possibilities...

http://www.tarsiger.com/gallery/ind...=&order=lisays_paiva+DESC&sel=2&find=find&r=0

and location and timing!

Mark