Circus pygargus - Portugal, 5th may 2021 (1 Viewer)

[João D. Esteves]

Hello everyone, can someone help me with the age and sex of this bird?

 

[KenM]

Looks like a juv.Pallid Harrier.

Cheers

 

[CARERY]

To me this is a 2nd cy Montagu's Harrier, probably female. Mainly due to the irregularly patterned outer primaries and dark trailing edge to inner primaries...

 

[lou salomon]

i agree on 2cy Montagu's Harrier, but - question: couldn't it be a male? i know most 2cy males look more advanced (with a grey hood etc. at this time of year), but it has pale irides and in Forsman it says, that such whitish based p7-10 usually is found in (1st plumaged) males.

 

[KenM]

To me this is a 2nd cy Montagu's Harrier, probably female. Mainly due to the irregularly patterned outer primaries and dark trailing edge to inner primaries...

I can’t see a dark trailing edge to inner primaries?
Irregularly patterned outers could equally be applicable to Pallid?
What’s more, there appears to be more of a pale collar on this bird than might be expected on Montagu’s?

Cheers

 

[CARERY]

I'd expect the pale collar to be more pronounced in a 2cy Pallid. I admitt the dark trailing edge to inner primaries could be more distinct but it's too dark for Pallid I guess...

As for the pale iris, Lou is right. I was focussing on only the one pic where the colour of the iris wasn't really assessable. On the other it's clearly pale so I'd agree with 2cy male.

 

[igorfest]

I think 2cy Montagu's Harrier too.
Dark fingers of immature and neatly barred axillaries (almost diagnostic) are both features of pygargus, and collar is also present in juv / imm of this species often quoted to be "large but irregular and incomplete" especially on the higher neck, like in these photographs...

ciao, Igor Festari

 

[João D. Esteves]

More photos:

 

[Parker]

I’m no expert on these two sometimes difficult species pair but I’d say it’s a Montagues. In the second pic showing the upper parts you can see a dark line on the secondaries which is better for Monty’s & the auxiliaries are barred which I believe fits Monty’s better.

 

[lou salomon]

2cy male Monty's allright .