Harrier-France (1 Viewer)

[Tib78]

I took the liberty to bring this bird from a French forum.

What do you guys think?

 

[joshjenkinsshaw]

I would say Hen harrier. But I'm still not 100% certain, The browny colours around the head doesnt look right for Hen.

 

[albatross02]

Montagues Harrier

Hello,

the white colour at the tail ( rump ) and the stripe at the downside looks like Montagues.


Best regards
Dieter

 

[Capercaillie71]

I would say a marsh harrier - I've seen very pale males like this

 

[MSA]

The bird has five primary fingers, so is either Hen or Marsh Harrier. Structurally, and extent of black on wingtips, it looks most like Marsh, despite rest of plumage!

 

[Tib78]

The bird has five primary fingers, so is either Hen or Marsh Harrier. Structurally, and extent of black on wingtips, it looks most like Marsh, despite rest of plumage!

That's my opinion too. This bird fits mostly Forsman's description of older male Marsh Harrier. Still, one detail looks inconsistent with this description : the vent should be darker than the chest.

So I was wondering whether this is an extreme example of what an old male Marsh Harrier can look like, or a bird with a slightly abnormal colouration...??

 

[CAU]

I agree on Marsh Harrier.

Still, one detail looks inconsistent with this description : the vent should be darker than the chest.

Check plate 191 in Forsman's book.

 

[nickderry]

Odd colouration, but the shape and pattern can only be marsh harrier, and as has been pointed out older males can be very pale.

 

[albatross02]

The bird has five primary fingers, so is either Hen or Marsh Harrier. Structurally, and extent of black on wingtips, it looks most like Marsh, despite rest of plumage!

That is right, the first finger seems to long for Montagues.

 

[Steve Dudley]

I too go with Marsh. I've seen occasional birds very similar to this passing through Lesvos over the years. The white rump looks like a general whitening of the tail base which is progressive rather than demarked, and is also straight across the tail, not curved as in the 'ring-tailed' harrier species. Also, the second photo from behind shows the upper forewing which is hidden on the side on pic, and you can see a darkening of the upper wing coverts and a very pale leading edge of the inner wing characteristic of Marsh.

 

[joshjenkinsshaw]

Looking back, I would say Marsh harrier!

 

[MKinHK]

There seems to be far too much agrement for a BF Harrier ID discussion, so just to stir things up. . . has anyone considered male Eastern Marsh Harrier like this one photographed in Hong Kong this winter.

Im not saying it is one, but would be interested to learn why it isn't.

Cheers
Mike

 

[John B (not the sloop)]

The wing chord profile alone (I think that's an aviation term) lets out Monty's and there's just enough colour variation on the wing upper surface to make Marsh the best fit. The brownish head steers me well away from Hen....

 

[Steve Dudley]

I have no experience of Eastern Marsh but MKinHK's link is to a bird that bares no resemblence to the French bird which looks spot on for an extremely pale Western Marsh.

 

[rockfowl]

Agree, an old male Marsh