Harrier in S Thailand (1 Viewer)

[bhutjoe]

Hi, I only have this one really bad photo that was taken at about 4 pm on Dec 31 in a very marshy area outside of Hat Yai, South Thailand. If I was in Canada I would have id'd it as a marsh harrier given the colour and predominant white patch on its rump. It was flying low over the marsh/reed beds and seeming to land in them briefly. I think a hen harrier is the only harrier where the brown female has such a noticeable white rump patch. The white rump was even more noticeable in the field from a long distance than in the photo. And I think a hen harrier would be unusual here - according to eBird pied harriers and eastern marsh harriers are the only ones records, but I don't believe either has such a white rump?
Is it possible to id this bird given the only photo is the one attached?
thank you in advance for trying
steve

 

[tconzemi]

Must be Pied Harrier on location

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

if I remember correctly female pied show some white on the rump?

 

[bhutjoe]

Hi Tom and Joern, thank you for the comments. I did read Robson's again and Pied does have a white uppertail covert band and anything else is at best a rare passage migrant. Thanks again for taking the effort on a truly bad photo
much appreciated
steve

 

[johnallcock]

Female and juvenile Pied have white rumps. Eastern Marsh can also sometimes appear to have a white rump patch at a distance, but they usually have some brown mixed in when seen at closer range.

 

[bhutjoe]

Thank you for the additional information John, much appreciated.
steve