Strange raptor from Egypt (1 Viewer)

[smiths]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for thoughts on this raptor that I photographed near Ras Shuqeir, Egypt, on 1 May 2016. The photos are bad but perhaps not that impossible to work with. Unfortunately the bird did not cooperate and never came close. It looked interesting though! Any ideas?

 

[tconzemi]

subadult Bonelli's Eagle

 

[smiths]

Thanks Tom. This was an overall very dark brown bird though (as opposed to having rufous or whitish underparts), without a white patch on the back. Is that all within variation?

 

[tconzemi]

I guess the last picture shows the real colour or at least is pretty close to it, which makes it a real dark one. No white in back is no problem for immature. Silhouette is perfect and large white patches and dark subterminal tail bar exclude all other brownish eagles (including Wahlberg's).

 

[smiths]

Just received a reply from Dick Forsman;
He considers the bird to be an Eastern Black Kite.

 

[tconzemi]

Just received a reply from Dick Forsman;
He considers the bird to be an Eastern Black Kite.

Oh gosh, maybe I should turn to gulls :eek!:
thanks for the info anyway (the black terminal tail band on pic 2 must be an artefact then)

 

[smiths]

Not necessarily. He calls the "slightly darker tail tip from below" typical of younger eastern Black Kites.

 

[tconzemi]

Not necessarily. He calls the "slightly darker tail tip from below" typical of younger eastern Black Kites.

thanks again, life long learnig is not just a slogan

 

[Tib78]

I had seen the thread at the time Peter posted it. I was not really happy with Tom's suggestion but I had no real alternative to propose. I am much happier with Dick's suggestion, tough images though!!

 

[rosbifs]

jeez when you three have difficulty I have no chance!!!