Bird of prey (sorry, poor photos!)

nubbin · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 10:06 AM

Can anyone help identify this bird from these unfortunatley poor quality snaps please? It's resting in some poplars behind our house, and is about the size of a large pheasant, and my wife, who has seen it flying, says it has broad, harrier-like wings and a fan tail. I'm waiting for it to reappear so I can use a decent camera, but the thing that's fooling us is the white tail tips, and the very dark general plumage. Any help appreciated.

Tringa · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 10:20 AM

Reminds me of a Harris Hawk, which would mean it is an escapee. Seems to be ringed too.

Look forward to the next photos.

Dave

nubbin · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 10:45 AM

Thanks for that - yes it does look like a Harris' hawk, (now I've googled it for pictures

) There is a butterfly and reptile house near us, which also keeps birds of prey - I suspect they've lost one! I'll give them a ring. It must be enjoying itself, because when last seen it was flying with a nice juicy rabbit in it's claws.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Definitely a Harris Hawk. They are often used by falconers in scaring pigeons away from buildings, etc as part of pest control.

lturpin215 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 10:22 PM

I wonder if this bird is similar to the ones you have seen? There is a family of about 3 juveniles and parents - local experts think Harris Hawk or cross with buzzard. Any ideas?

Harris hawks or buzzards? - Wild About Britain Pics

nigel_b · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 10:27 PM

I thought it looked like a Harris too. Looks like it has jesses on.

faz · #7 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 07:21 AM

hi and welcome to WAB it is a harriss hawk if you let your local police station know you have seen it and wher the falconer would have informed the police hopefully he can get him back

lturpin215 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 06:08 PM

There has been an escaped Harris hawk with a jess in this area for about two years. I think there have been many attempts to catch him. People seem to think he has mated with a buzzard - or is it likely that he has found an escaped female??
The juveniles make a mewing sound like adult buzzards, the adults have much more of a croak (not like a buzzard at all)

faz · #9 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010, 07:07 PM

common buzzard (buteo buteo) harrishawk (paebueto unicinctus) and red tail hawk (buteo jamaicensis) are all related so it is possible escapess red tail and HH could breed with a wild buzzard slight chance of two escapess meeting in the wild if they did they would then form a hunting pack of harriss hawks as they do in ther native home north and south america