Female Harrier in UAE: Hen vs. Pallid ??? (1 Viewer)

[Lerxst]

All:

Several days ago I took some poor photos of a female harrier. See below. Initially calling this Pallid - if I understand correctly, though, the number of 'long' primary feathers , which looks to be five in the bottom photo, would indicate a Hen. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Michael

https://legallyblindbirding.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/harrier1.jpg?w=1280

https://legallyblindbirding.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/harrier2.jpg?w=1280

https://legallyblindbirding.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/harrier3.jpg?w=1280

 

[andyb39]

Still Pallid in my opinion. Juvenile Hen would have heavy streaking on the underparts and collar and a dark border to the whole face, giving it a slightly owl-like appearance. This bird is also far too peachy on the underparts and underwing coverts for Hen. From Monty's on pale collar, contrasting dark cheek, dark nail on bill, contrasting dark secondaries on upperwing and uppertail pattern (5 rings).

Are you still in the UAE?

 

[Lerxst]

Still Pallid in my opinion. Juvenile Hen would have heavy streaking on the underparts and collar and a dark border to the whole face, giving it a slightly owl-like appearance. This bird is also far too peachy on the underparts and underwing coverts for Hen. From Monty's on pale collar, contrasting dark cheek, dark nail on bill, contrasting dark secondaries on upperwing and uppertail pattern (5 rings).

Are you still in the UAE?

Andy:

Thank you for the response. This is helpful. Our local guide there called it Pallid too, and I would trust him on 99.99% of his judgements. But I still like getting second opinions so I can learn the details myself.

Not in UAE now, we left on Saturday night.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[andyb39]

Who was your guide?