Raptor Id help, Guangxi China, August (1 Viewer)

[Hainan on the fly]

Hey all! Any help on this ID would be much appreciated. I'm thinking it is a Black Kite but am very new at this. The light primaries and light head pointed me towards this guess but the wingtips look a little funny to me.

Sorry about the picture quality.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[KenM]

Looks structurally not dissimilar to Oriental Honey Buzzard to my eye?

Cheers

 

[mummymonkey]

Far from an expert and can't really make out any feather patterns on the tail but might Pernis ptilorhynchus fit?

Edit: KenM beat me to it.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Can Jerdon’s Baza be ruled out here?

 

[THE_FERN]

Far from an expert and can't really make out any feather patterns on the tail but might Pernis ptilorhynchus fit?

Edit: KenM beat me to it.

Wasn't sure why you guys went for that one, apart perhaps from the long tail. The big bulgy wings and overall shape made me wonder about a hawk eagle. Without going through the possibilities systematically I thought the baza reasonable too, shape-wise.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Can Jerdon’s Baza be ruled out here?

just coming back to this having checked range (which was my main concern earlier) this part of Southern China is within range I believe for JB although I imagine they may not be well documented.

I can see anything to rule out JB on structure here - paddle shaped wings, (bulging secondaries and inner primaries) small head and very full tail. Obviously the wing shape is difficult to judge due to primary moult and little can be determined of plumage. However the dark bars on the outer primaries with very obvious translucent bases to the outer primaries also point to this species imo.

(I can’t see OHB on structure - the hands are too broad and the trailing edge of the wing has the wrong shape for OHB imo)

JB
http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=855&Bird_Image_ID=35605

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=855&Bird_Image_ID=35604

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=855&Bird_Image_ID=26697&Bird_Family_ID=

 

[RafaelMatias]

Deb, it's been a few years since I last saw Jerdon's Baza, but for what is worth I think you're right. Proportions and visible pattern are good and the last photo you posted shows a very similar bird indeed.

 

[johnallcock]

I also thought Jerdon's Baza on seeing these photos. The very broad, rounded wings with pinched base and large tail look good for this species. Mountain Hawk Eagle is similar in shape, but I would expect it to look much bulkier (larger bodied) than this bird.

Jerdon's Baza does occur in Guangxi (I have seen it there) and there have been a few counts from raptor migration watchpoints in recent yeras, but is not an easy bird to see, so this would be a good record.

 

[Hainan on the fly]

I can see anything to rule out JB on structure here - paddle shaped wings, (bulging secondaries and inner primaries) small head and very full tail. Obviously the wing shape is difficult to judge due to primary moult and little can be determined of plumage. However the dark bars on the outer primaries with very obvious translucent bases to the outer primaries also point to this species imo.

(I can’t see OHB on structure - the hands are too broad and the trailing edge of the wing has the wrong shape for OHB imo)

Thanks Deb! I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge! I have attached another picture that shows a little more detail in the tail. I'm not sure if it will be helpful or not. Thanks so much for taking the time to help out a newbie!

Brian

 

[Hainan on the fly]

Thanks for your input, John. I hope to get back to Guangxi in October or November when it is much better birding. Hopefully I can get a better camera to help with some of these ids.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Thanks Deb! I have attached another picture that shows a little more detail in the tail. I'm not sure if it will be helpful or not.

Brian

Hi Brian - Thank you - shows better the outer primary pattern (widely spaced black bars) and tail pattern consistent with JB.

With Rafael and John concurring, (both of whom have more experience than I do!) I think we’re fairly safe with the ID here.

 

[RafaelMatias]

With Rafael and John concurring, (both of whom have more experience than I do!)

Thanks Deb, but you're certainly being way too kind. And I certainly wouldn't compare my barely residual experience with Asian birds with that both extensive and intensive of John. :smoke:

 

[Hainan on the fly]

With Rafael and John concurring, (both of whom have more experience than I do!) I think we’re fairly safe with the ID here.

Thanks Deb!

I am always amazed at the willingness of people in this community to share their knowledge. I hope to be able to pay it forward some day :t: