Bird ID

[wend5000]

Sorry for poor quality- zoom is on full!

Taken in Switzerland- think its a buzzard- but not 100%





thanks for help

Wendy

[squishy]

doesn't look like a buzzard to me

[Oy]

Hmmm.... those wings look too deep and not round enough for a Buzzard.

[ChrisJB]

With that protruding head, I'd say Honey Buzzard.

Regards, Chris

[wend5000]

thanks. I wasnt sure. Not that it makes any difference- but its nice to know!

Wendy
x

[Andy Warne]

Reckon I'll go with Common Buzzard due to the pale breast band and dark belly sides. I think the tail looks a bit short for Honey Buzzard.

[Picidae]

It's a Common Buzzard to my eyes at least. It doesn't have the head shape for Honey or the diagnostic barring on tail. Long legged Buzzard and Rough Legged can be ruled out on plumage.

From the worn state of the plumage it looks to me like a 2cy autumn juvenile moulting to first adult - outer primaries retained while p7, p6 missing - some secondaries have been moulted. The underparts also appear to show heavy streaking. It would help of course to know when picture was taken, since often this influences aging/iding!

(It looks 'short-winged' because it's in active moult of the longest primaries and the odd appearance is due to wear and moult)

[wend5000]

wow! Thanks...

It was taken in August last year...so does that fit with dating?

Thanks

Wendy
x

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by wend5000

wow! Thanks...

It was taken in August last year...so does that fit with dating?

Thanks

Wendy
x

Yes, 2cy/adults moult between April/May and completing by September/Nov - so in August they'd be in very active moult. It would probably rule out for sure Honey Buzzard (although other features do this imo anyway!) since they primarily moult in their winter quarters completing it prior to the Spring migration.