raptor ID please

[crisscross]

sorry, flying around rather too fast and mostly too high to get a decent shot, but hope adequate for ID.

Colwall, Herefordshire today, early March

[Picidae]

It's a Kestrel (male)

[RobinP]

My first thought was Peregrine, though the tail is quite long.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by RobinP

though the tail is quite long.

Yes it is and compare the underwing pattern too of the 1w Peregrine below (it couldn't be an adult Perry in Crisscross's pic anyway as it has a streaked breast).

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictu...3&r=1&st=1&q=0

Peregrines are pretty bulky in the body and long winged falcons compared to Kestrels, note the small compact shape of crisscross's Kestrel and it's relatively short wings and top heavy body. Face and head pattern is inconsistent with Peregrine also.

Identifying raptors in flight and from photos can be rather difficult. Sometimes it just takes a whole lot of different features together to get there!

[crisscross]

the more usual view of Kestrel doing a gentle flip between hovering with colour shown off in late afternoon sun, but can see the markings agree & tail similar when folded up rather than fanned

Thank you Picidae