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Hobby or red-footed falcon? (Bulgaria) (1 Viewer)

gkamov

Yeah, birds.
Bulgaria
Hi there!

Migration time + juvenile birds are almost always a recipe for confusion, at least for me :) I saw this bird a couple of days ago near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Is it a juvenile hobby or a red-footed falcon?

Would appreciate your help in resolving this. Thanks!
 

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It’s “compactness” might suit RFFalcon over Hobby, but I feel that better images would be required to be more definitive.

Cheers
 
It’s “compactness” might suit RFFalcon over Hobby, but I feel that better images would be required to be more definitive.

Do you mean the bird in the first or second set of photos? The one in the second set looks more like a kestrel to me.
 
Do you mean the bird in the first or second set of photos? The one in the second set looks more like a kestrel to me.

On blow up 2nd set, I see a big white cheek patch with what looks like a contrasting black moustachial?
 
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So, taking account of its shape as well as the plumage features that are (barely) visible, which falcon do you think is shown in the second set of photographs?

I don’t see Kestrel at all, apart from the consistency of the face pattern and the very uncharacteristic short tail for the latter...Hobby or Red foot would be my guess, however better pics. would certainly help....
 
I don’t see Kestrel at all, apart from the consistency of the face pattern and the very uncharacteristic short tail for the latter...Hobby or Red foot would be my guess, however better pics. would certainly help....

For once, I would agree with you Ken o:D but I think those photos are too poor to be positively identified.
 
Still waiting for the software that would analyse metrics on a silhouette and give a definitive answer. Can't help feeling that definitive information is there in pictures like the second set above, if we could only process it.
 
Still waiting for the software that would analyse metrics on a silhouette and give a definitive answer. Can't help feeling that definitive information is there in pictures like the second set above, if we could only process it.

Don’t know if metrics could ever be definitive on a partial/silhouetted bird shape, particularly with raptor groups, where there is a not inconsiderable overlap in size. I suspect as a group their respective wings are probably the most “fluid” compared to other groups and as such, would not be “set in stone” for any algorithm led software to predict, too many possibilities to be considered imo.

Cheers...although never say never!
 
Tom, are you saying better pictures are needed? Or is it clearly between Hobby and RFF for you? I see a dark bar at the end of the tail which, together with the wing shape, suggests kestrel for me - or is that an artefact?

the same artefact on the rear of the wings - certainly not a Kestrel
 
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