ID by flight style? (1 Viewer)

[gthang]

Hello, everyone!

Very early this morning, I went down to the pond in search of the Pileated Woodpecker (no such luck).

However, I saw a bird flying. I cannot describe the bird's physical characteristics (Except for size, which was slightly bigger than a sparrow probably in the range of 5-8 inches), but the flight style was rather odd, IMO.

It flapped for quite a while, then sort of "glided" for a few seconds, then continued flapping.

Because of it's size, and the flight style, I thought an American Kestrel would be close. But I'm not good at IDing birds from flight patterns.

Could someone help me out?

Thanks!

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Sounds more like a Sharp-shinned Hawk.....

Andy.

 

[shelley810]

Sounds more like a Sharp-shinned Hawk.....

Andy.

Sharp-shinned....way too big.

Flickers have an odd flight pattern very similar to what was described, bit bigger than a sparrow, but about the same size as the American Kestrel but stockier.
What do you think?
Shelley

 

[gthang]

well, if I could remember what the wingbeat style was, I'd be typing it right now.

But I do remember that it appeared very small at the height it was, way smaller than the sharp-shinned hawk. it was about twenty feet (a guess anyway) above the treetops.