Bird of Prey id

sleipnerofasgard · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:09 PM

My first thought was an escapee of some kind as it looks to have something on it talons, maybe jesses, just a thought

Frank

Picidae · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:39 PM

It's carrying prey. Sparrowhawk by the looks of it but hard to be certain on this image.

FUDGEY · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:41 PM

Could it be a Red Kite with a radio tag? Are there Kites onthe area?

Picidae · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:58 PM

Its definitely not a Red Kite Fudgey - completely the wrong shape and size - Red Kites are wing tagged not radio tagged btw.

Stewart J · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 06:42 AM

Long tailed and broad winged suggests Sprarrowhawk but difficult from the image.

Stewart

FUDGEY · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 02:42 PM

Picidae, Im probably wrong saying it's a Kite as I'm on my phone and it is a very blurred pic viewing it. The only reason I said Kite was because of something I could see sticking out the rump of the bird. It's impossible for me to say what it is, but there are kites wing tagged & radio tagged at my local feeding station. I got close up photos of them on Friday. I'd be interested to know how can you tell what size that bird is with nothing to scale it too?

Picidae · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Picidae, Im probably wrong saying it's a Kite as I'm on my phone and it is a very blurred pic viewing it. The only reason I said Kite was because of something I could see sticking out the rump of the bird. ... I'd be interested to know how can you tell what size that bird is with nothing to scale it too?

What's 'sticking out of the rump' appears to be the wing tip of the prey species but apologies, forgot that youngsters are radio tagged on some projects.

As regards shape and size of raptors in flight, guess that just comes with experience but one of the ways to judge is from the size of the head compared to wing length and the size of the body compared to width of wings. Kites are long slim winged birds, and large birds of prey - on an image from this distance, some underwing patterning would be also be visible - believe me, it's certainly not a Red Kite! It's an accipiter species.

Here's a silhouette of a RK to compare/illustrate what I mean
http://www.funkypancake.com/blog/stuff/DSC02288.jpg

ANNO · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 04:02 PM

it does suggest sparrow hawk, deffo, but it also shows the undertail coverts that are diagnostic in a Gos - without being there or having anything to gauge size, are there any goshawks in your area? it also shows an S shaped outer to the hindwing again diagnostic for Gozzers.

its an obvious accipiter sp. though....

FUDGEY · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 05:45 PM

Thanks picdae, the quality of my pic is so bad I couldn't tell it was the wing tip of the prey species. Is it common for sparrowhawks to carry their kill if the young have fledged the nest? I'm sure most will have done by now, I have always seen them pluck & consume at or very close to the scene of the kill, perhaps it was disturbed.

sleipnerofasgard · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 06:20 PM

I must admit that Goshawk had crossed my mind and they have been spotted in the area by no less than Graham Clarkson our local RSPB representative, when i first spotted it it seemed rather large which is why i thought it might be an escapee, i did get a few more pics which may or may not help to clear up this mystery

Hope this helps

Frank