Unidentified Buzzard

[brianholland]

My wife photographed this buzzard while we were on holiday in Wales last week. It does not seem like a common buzzard and reference to my bird books failed to discover what it is.
Not either a roughlegged or honey buzzard so I wondered if it is an immature bird.

Any polite suggestions please?

[stevensi]

Buzzards can vary in colour. I've seen very pale as well as very dark buzzards. The one in your picture is the pale variety..

[brianholland]

Originally Posted by stevensi

Buzzards can vary in colour. I've seen very pale as well as very dark buzzards. The one in your picture is the pale variety..

Thank you for that suggestion because I have only seen the dark versions so this was a first, hence our confusion.

Most grateful.

Brian.

[rossy]

looks like a young common buzzard to me as occasionally some may buffish white like you say they are normally darker. rossy.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by brianholland

I wondered if it is an immature bird.

Yes, it's an immature bird - showing extensive pale fringes to coverts etc which makes it look rather pale but otherwise normal plumage for a Common Buzzard

[brianholland]

Thanks chaps for taking the trouble to reply with such helopful information.

My wife and I are now wiser.

Really appreciated.

Brian.