Help Identify Bird of Prey

[andrewhux]

Hello everyone, the other day a bird flew past the window and straight away i thought i`d never seen that one before, then yesterday once again saw it and thought it was some sort of hawk or buzzard(i really dont have a clue as to types of birds) then today while lyin on the sofa I saw it flyin quite high up in the air being harassed by 2 seagulls but again it disapeared before i could get a close up shot on my digi camera.

now its smaller than a seagull, by maybe 4-5 inches on either wing. the sun was high in the sky so i couldnt get any distinctive colour from below. but from above its a dark brown colour with white specks. Quite unusual as i have never ever saw a bird of prey in the town centre. I live in dunfermline by the way.

And i also live in a 3rd floor flat, i`m not very very tall as to be able to see the bird from above.

I was on the bbc website today and a harris hawk was reported stolen the other day and straight away i thought no it cant be, theirs no way it could be. So i went and done a harris hawk search on google images and i dont think it is because the harris has a band of white at the end of its tail. and i didnt notice that on this bird

hopefully i can get a picture of it and ill post it up

[agrumpycow]

Sounds very much like a sparrowhawk

[bhawk]

Originally Posted by andrewhux

Hello everyone, the other day a bird flew past the window and straight away i thought i`d never seen that one before, then yesterday once again saw it and thought it was some sort of hawk or buzzard(i really dont have a clue as to types of birds) then today while lyin on the sofa I saw it flyin quite high up in the air being harassed by 2 seagulls but again it disapeared before i could get a close up shot on my digi camera.

now its smaller than a seagull, by maybe 4-5 inches on either wing. the sun was high in the sky so i couldnt get any distinctive colour from below. but from above its a dark brown colour with white specks. Quite unusual as i have never ever saw a bird of prey in the town centre. I live in dunfermline by the way.

And i also live in a 3rd floor flat, i`m not very very tall as to be able to see the bird from above.

I was on the bbc website today and a harris hawk was reported stolen the other day and straight away i thought no it cant be, theirs no way it could be. So i went and done a harris hawk search on google images and i dont think it is because the harris has a band of white at the end of its tail. and i didnt notice that on this bird

hopefully i can get a picture of it and ill post it up

as a falconer i have seen harris's without a noticeable band, if you do think it is then inform the ibr their websire is index although it could be a small male buzzard, buzzards have such a variety of colouring, ive seen some that are nearly white! try and get a pic then i can tell you what it is

[bhawk]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Sounds very much like a sparrowhawk

sparrowhawks rarely fly high, they are low flying stealth hunters following contours of the landscape.
but the size sounds right for a female spar

[coasty]

Shape of wings would help???

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by bhawk

sparrowhawks rarely fly high, they are low flying stealth hunters following contours of the landscape.
but the size sounds right for a female spar

Not true sparrow hawks often go on the soar, prospecting.
Regards
Colin

[Nicola Main]

I have often seen a female Sparrowhawk fly high although not as high as a Buzzard will. I think these are the only two likely candidates but I'll go for the latter

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by willing to learn

Not true sparrow hawks often go on the soar, prospecting.
Regards
Colin

Yes I often see this too!

[dmclean2]

Hi Folks,
this Sparrowhawk landed in the bay tree to-day about 10 am this morning I managed to get a shot off through the window , thats why it's a bit smokey looking.

Cheers.....Duncan

[jamiewade94]

could it be a Peregrine?