Marsh Harrier, Hong Kong (1 Viewer)

[MKinHK]

This harrier which was hunting yesterday afternoon at San Tin surprised my by showing brown and grey upperwings, which is a pattern I associate with Western Marsh Harrier, but don't know if Eastern Marsh Harrier can show such uniformly brown back and coverts. While its a lousy shot the views in the field did confirm the unstreaked brown back and coverts and grey outer wing with a subterminal band barring of black spots. The distinctive white rump contrasted with the grey tailed. The underparts (dark primaries apart, were predominantly white and only the head and upper breast showed darker streaking.

Interested in any thoughts

Cheers
Mike

 

[KenM]

Mike Hi, (long time no speak).
Prior to reading your thread, I’d had no experience of Eastern Marsh Harrier however, a web search did show not infrequently birds with variable amounts of brown to the upper wings, they do seem to be quite variable.
A great background shot by the way, was it taken from your balcony?

Cheers

 

[Vyom B. Vyas]

A good candidate for Eastern Marsh Harrier (presumably male bird)