Namibia- Raptor (1 Viewer)

[Jacob12]

Hi all,

Seen today in Windhoek.

I was able to get a half decent shot of this distant raptor soaring low today. I'd describe the flight as somewhat acrobatic, but that could be due to the breeze.

Perhaps a Common Buzzard or maybe a European Honey-Buzzard (not exactly the right shape though)--dark horse candidate would be a harrier.

It wasn't big like an eagle, initial impression was Black Kite (see also photo with nearby swift for scale).

 

[Andy Adcock]

Upland Buzzard?

 

[Jacob12]

Hi Andy, I'm not familiar with that common name. What is the scientific name of this sp?

 

[Andy Adcock]

Hi Andy, I'm not familiar with that common name. What is the scientific name of this sp?

I'm getting my continents in a muddle, I wonder if it is a Common / Stppe Buzzard but it looks small headed and small billed, a bit like Forest Buzzard but I'm freewheeling here with no books to hand.

 

[Butty]

Wing-attitude indicates it's gliding rather than soaring. It's not a honey buzzard (tail-shape, head-shape), or harrier (lots of reasons), or black kite (tail-shape, underwing pattern). I think the dark-looking underwing-coverts are partly or wholly due to shadow. Not sure I'd quite rule out African hawk-eagle, but I think it's probably common buzzard.
Interesting swift in pic 2 (which doesn't give scale as one can't tell the relative distances). I guess it ought to be Bradfield's swift. Dunno. Who knows anything about big African swifts...

 

[THE_FERN]

common buzzard for me

 

[Jacob12]

gliding rather than soaring

Thank you for the clarification on terminology

probably common buzzard.

Agreed.
I attached another photo with a different light angle.

 

[Muppit17]

Wing-attitude indicates it's gliding rather than soaring. It's not a honey buzzard (tail-shape, head-shape), or harrier (lots of reasons), or black kite (tail-shape, underwing pattern). I think the dark-looking underwing-coverts are partly or wholly due to shadow. Not sure I'd quite rule out African hawk-eagle, but I think it's probably common buzzard.
Interesting swift in pic 2 (which doesn't give scale as one can't tell the relative distances). I guess it ought to be Bradfield's swift. Dunno. Who knows anything about big African swifts...

Agree, it should be Bradfields based upon location, and that is what it looks like

 

[Mike Ball]

I agree with Common Buzzard.

 

[Jacob12]

Got better photos of presumably the same individual today. Definitely looks good for a Common Buzzard

 

[Hotspur]

Got better photos of presumably the same individual today. Definitely looks good for a Common Buzzard

The original was a buteo but this is a Honey Buzzard