Help Identifying a Bird

[suzted]

i need some help identifying a bird. i am about 99% certain it is a bird of prey. it is brown with a white row of feathers underneath at the base of its tail. i would say it is probably the size of a large seagull. both times it was flying just above a newly cut field, possibly hunting voles/mice in the hay bales? i am in the orkney isles if that is any help. i never got a good look at it as i was in a moving car and couldnt stop. i am likely the furthest you could get from a bird of prey expert but i am very interested in them. i have seen several over the past few years when i havent been looking for them but have never had my camera to hand

[sleipnerofasgard]

no expert myself but perhaps a white tailed eagle as they do breed on the west coast of scotland

[tufftie]

not big enough for an eagle surely? Harrier perhaps? Sure it wasn't a bonxie?!

[colincurry]

Stupid question - what is a bonxie? Is it gibberish for barn owl?

Colin

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Stupid question - what is a bonxie? Is it gibberish for barn owl?

Colin

Tufftie means a Great Skua Colin.
Bonxie is another name for that bird, originating in Shetland, but now quite widely used over Scotland.
Doug

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Tufftie means a Great Skua Colin.
Bonxie is another name for that bird, originating in Shetland, but now quite widely used over Scotland.
Doug

Oops yes, sorry about that - it wasn't birder talk just i've always called it that! Sounds much nicer than Great Skua and much more descriptive...they tend to dive bomb you!

[Tursiops2]

Hi suzted
I don't know the Orkneys at all (I wish!), but from your general description I'd say the choice was between Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl, and the white feathers at the base of the tail strongly suggests either female or juvenile ("ring-tail") Hen Harrier. Hope this helps.
T2

[suzted]

i did think it may have been a hen harrier as i know you get quite a few of them up here. but when i looked up pix of them on the net i never saw any with a white bit underneath. i dont think it wouldve been an owl as it was maybe a bit too dainty. thank you all so much. i love this site, everyone is so helpfull.

[ChrisJB]

Yep, the Orkneys are very good for Hen Harriers.

Regards, Chris