Any Hints for identification of Bird of Prey.

[drifter]

I am currently trying to identfy a bird of prey that lives close to where I live and although I have narrowed it down I can't seem to find an ideal fit I'm hoping that you people may have some suggestions of key things to look for. I usually see the bird when it is returning or leaving its nest, unfortunately Iam out a lot in the day so cant spend as much time asI would like waiting for it to put in an apperence and watch its behaviour.

My bird is nesting in a city centre location, in/on a relatively high building while it is a city centrethere is pleannty of greenery in the surrounding area with a large bird population including magpies, pigeons, thruses, wrens sparrows etc etc as well as a close by large pond with ducks and canadian geese.

It is larger than a kesteral, but currrently having issues defining an exact size. When I see it out of my window it appearsto have a brownish back, but this may be due to the light.

It has a squared tail with striped markings, and a pale underside (havent been able to see markings yet!)
It appears to be able to glide (at least for short distances) and I think it hovers (not 100% sure as yet).

I know it nests in the same place every year. As I saw it a couple of times last year.
Finally I know it eats pigeons as it left the remains of it's dinner on my patio yesterday (I'm very upset I missed it feeding)

I know that the pigeon was the meal of a bird of prey a I have a roof patio and my flat is 20 floors up.

The pigeon had been thorly plucked, the back of the neck was gone and the legs had been removed, the breast and internal organs had been eaten or removed.

As i said I have discounted a kestral (due to size of bird in flight and its pigeon diet!).
However anything elese that seems to fit diet wise does not seem to fit with habitat and /or appearence.

I realise a phot will help but currently having issues trying to obatin one will attempt to rectify this.
Many Thanks

[nightshade]

Lazy way,ask your local birdwatchers (contacts usually via the local library)

[Adam Cheeseman]

Sounds like a Peregrine to me.

Cheers,

Adam

[Bub-les]

Think its a peregrine
Welcome to WAB hope you enjoy your time here.
Barbara

[dmclean2]

Hi Drifter and welcone to WAB,
It sounds like a peregrine to me also, diet -pigeons ,barred tail, although adult
male has a blue back the female is bigger and has a brownish back, as do the juveniles, check your books and try to spot some more characteristics of the peregrine in your area,they have like a dark mark down each side of their beak, for instance,
Duncan

[Bub-les]

You could also check out the Derby web cam there's 4 chicks.
There is a link on another thread here on WAB
Barbara

[Hobjob]

Bird of Prey nesting in city centre - Peregrine till proved otherwise !!!

They are in many city centres now.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Sounds like a Peregrine to me.

Cheers,

Adam

Me too. It seems to tick the right boxes.

Regards, Chris

[drifter]

HI Guys
Thankyou so much for all your help, based on the kills i had seen and my short views of the adults I thought perigrin falcons untill today when these 2 arrived on my windowsil I live in the city centre 20 floors up I have now found 2 dead plucked eaten pigeons on my 20 floor patio all matching a perigrin kill but these two look like kesterals to me I am so confused what I know about kesterels doesnt match the behaviour have observed!

[drifter]

ohh i can't upload the photos sorry guys