Hainan, China. Unknown large bird (1 Viewer)

[Hainan on the fly]

So at first I thought this was a raptor but then I got a look at its neck. It is really difficult to see in these photos but if you look at the change in its head position from the first to second photo you can make out its neck. (It changes the position of its head and looks upward in the second photo). I have a guess but I'm curious what others think (if they are willing to strain their eyes looking at these blurry photos 🤪 )

Thanks,

Brian

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Perhaps Imperial Pigeon?

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Perhaps Imperial Pigeon?

Mountain Imperial Pigeon.

Grahame

 

[Hainan on the fly]

Thanks! That was what I was thinking too.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Looks like a Chinese Green-Magpie in the middle of image #1 and #2 perhaps?

 

[johnallcock]

Personally I get more of an impression of Crested Honey-buzzard for this bird.

 

[Hainan on the fly]

Looks like a Chinese Green-Magpie in the middle of image #1 and #2 perhaps?

Could be. I was thinking Chinese Barbet was also a possibility.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Could be. I was thinking Chinese Barbet was also a possibility.

I think that’s a better suggestion now I’ve checked a few images - it does appear to have a dark head!

 

[Hainan on the fly]

Personally I get more of an impression of Crested Honey-buzzard for this bird.

Thanks John, I hadn't considered that. After looking at some pictures it also has me second guessing what I thought was Crested Serpent-Eagle. I'll post that in a minute

 

[Deb Burhinus]

I must say, my immediate thoughts were CHB/OHB for the bird on the left and didn’t look at it very carefully as the ID had already been confirmed when I came across the thread - I was more interested in the other bird! - However, I am not familiar with MIP so that wasnt likely to be my first impression anyway - but looking at images, it’s hard to separate them on the OP image -Nothing significant can be made of the long neck and small head because they are features of both species.

Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Oriental Honey-buzzard » Pernis ptilorhyncus

Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Oriental Honey-buzzard » Pernis ptilorhyncus

It looks quite narrow at the base of the tail compared to the tip to me in some of the images and very barrel chested - my general impression is that the ‘weight’ of raptors tends to be in the shoulders - whereas pigeons are weak-shouldered and barrel chested and fuller bellied.

Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Mountain Imperial Pigeon » Ducula badia

so I am coming down in favor of MIP but it’s a close call and not sure it’s 100% on these images!

Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Mountain Imperial Pigeon » Ducula badia