SE Sicily - large black and chestnut bird (1 Viewer)

[wmcd_1]

My wife and I have twice seen something that looks like a large corvid, with a chunky beak, black but with striking chestnut neck and shoulders. Once up in limestone hills, once in a nature reserve on the coast. Any ideas?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
welcome to birdforum!

I dont now the currect status (wikipedia says its extinct on Sicily), but try a Bearded Vulture.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello again,

the other species, that came into my mind. is a Little Bittern. A very different bird.
But maybe two helpful species to start with? I hope so

Posted by member Perì Fyseos. Thanks again for sharing this brilliant video!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Escaped Harris Hawk -perfect fit to the description, commonly escapes

 

[fdokykcu]

Maybe Hooded Crow?

 

[Richard Prior]

Maybe Hooded Crow?

That’s a good call, the grey areas can appear to be another colour in certain light in my experience, though chestnut I’ve not seen!

 

[MJB]

That’s a good call, the grey areas can appear to be another colour in certain light in my experience, though chestnut I’ve not seen!

Really? Some of your posts in 'Ruffled Feather' are definitely old chestnuts...
MJB

 

[wmcd_1]

Thanks, all. I appreciate the ideas. Hooded crow sounds most likely, although the brown seemed quite distinct. We saw one in profile on a rock by the road, and it looked like a large corvid, not a vulture.