Bird of prey ID query

[Plasticman]

Whilst walking the dog in Banstead Woods, Surrey I came across a corpse of a bird with a 4 -4.5 ft wingspan, light brown in colour but headless! Assumed it to be an Eagle but didn't think they were found so local. I took a graphic pic of the foot if that helps with the indentity??

[Naturenutz]

Sounds like a buzzard but the foot may well help with id

[Wild-Woman]

Possibly a buzzard. Hope this wasn't a poisoning case. It might be worth mentioning this to the local police wildlife crime officer.

[Plasticman]

I've downloaded the picture under unidentified birds; bird of prey claw or use the link below:

Bird of prey claw - Wild About Britain Pics

Any suggestions?

[solus]

Probably a Buzzard as Wild-woman suggests. Do you have a photo of the whole corpse - it's OK, there have been similarly gruesome photos posted before in attempt at identifying the late creature!

[Plasticman]

Yes wasn't a pleasant sight. Was going to take a few more until my dog started to find it interesting too! There's also either the tip of a tail or wing in the pic if you look closely

[Synn]

I'm pretty sure Buzzard feet are yellow
To be honest, I think it looks more like an Owl foot.

[Cassillis]

Originally Posted by Synn

I'm pretty sure Buzzard feet are yellow
To be honest, I think it looks more like an Owl foot.

I agree. Looking at the coulour of feathers in the top right of the picture I'd have a punt at short eared or Tawny owl

[Talonman]

Hi There,
I would agree with cassillis on this one.....the foot in question definitely isnt a buzzard,the make up of the underside of the toes is characteristically owl,also the leg appears feathered right doen to the top of the foot where a buzzard has a scaley tarsus (lower leg).
I am a practising falconer and have a female Tawny owl of my own,they are the most diverse species we have in the u.k and the wing span you state could suggest it is a tawny,the two other species with similar feather colour are the short eared and long eared owl.....very alarming that the bird was minus its entire head.

I hope this helps.

Chris

[flaxton]

I came across a headless "hawk" with feathers down the leg and called in a friend to id as I could think of no common hawk fitting this description. It also turned out to be a Tawny Owl.

Mal