Mystery bird of prey

avis · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 08:43 PM

I was walking near my house yesterday when I disturbed a medium sized raptor which flew leisurely ahead of me to a tree, where I got a really clear look at its rather long tail. There were magpies around and the proportion of tail to body length was very similar to theirs. The tail was significantly longer in the middle than the sides. This was very clear to see. The bird was brown above and speckled underneath. The wings were pointed like a falcon.
A couple of weeks ago my partner had seen what we think is a hobby in my garden (either that or a pegergrine which seems unlikely). Could I have seen the same bird?

accipter · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 09:21 PM

Most likely a kestrel or a sparrowhawk, have a look at the pics in the bird Gallery on this site you may just find what your looking for good luck. alan.

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 10:38 PM

It sounds like you saw a Kestrel (Sparrowhawks wings usually look rounded, rather than pointed like a falcons).

Kestrel or Sparrowhawk are also the two most likely candidates for the bird that your partner saw, because these are the two most regular birds of prey in gardens. Peregrine could be possible in some areas, Hobby is probably unlikely (it's hard to say for certain without more of a description though).

accipter · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 11:03 PM

I agree with what you say roy, most likely kestrel, I was just trying to cover all the possibilities its difficult to be dead right from the description, could have even been a lost falcon from someone's collection, still I would go for a kestrel.

RoyW · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accipter

its difficult to be dead right from the description, could have even been a lost falcon from someone's collection

Very true!

Jonners · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 11:21 AM

As for the tail, it was probably growing new outer tail feathers, like this Kestrel I saw a little while ago:

avis · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 08:03 PM

Thank you for your replies. I thought the bird I saw was larger than either a sparrowhawk or a kesrel, as was the one my partner saw - he stressed how large it was, but the the photo of the kestrel growing new feathers is spot on - the tail was just like that, so many thanks - I shall keep my eyes peeled and try to take a photo next time!

avis · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 08:18 PM

After my previous reply to your suggestions, I googled "lost hawks Stroud", that being my location, and someone has posted that 2 hawks with bells were seen on Minchinhampton Common on the 1st of September. I'm inclined to think that I may have seen one of these - it would explain the size plus if it was still wearing traces (?) it could explain the rather clumsy crashing in the tree which I forgot to mention in my first post.