Raptor ID no picture unfortunately!

[ExposingTheWild]

So my mum sent me this message asking for an ID. Raptors are not my area (l though I wish them to be).

"Out for a drive and gt lost up in the hills. I am sure I have seen a bird with a 'crest' sortof the same as this one. We watched it for ages then as soon as we took out our phones to take a pic it buggered off."

Please excuse the language
The folks live in the Scottish Borders and thought it was a young buzzard. But the crest is puzzling. Young Osprey perhaps.

Any suggestions you be great.

Kind Regards

Samuel

[ExposingTheWild]

PS it was near a body of water if that helps!!

[htcdude]

Any more info on size/colour etc?? Could be a Jay or something like that from the description

Nige

[ExposingTheWild]

Dad is a bit of a birder, So know the difference with raptor and corvids. He better do anyway he taught me! Here is a bit more bellow:

Just been out for a run and seen a bird we cant ID. Like a buzzard but a bit smaller, on a pine tree at the edge of forest but water nearby. Very white body and much darker wings. But the thing I thought I saw was like a white triangular hat on his head - yes I know that sounds wierd! LLike a sort of crest.

[Johnny81]

Osprey does sound likely - white crown, white body - darker wings, habitat. Should be a tad bigger than a common buzzard but this is subjective to views.

[ExposingTheWild]

They liked the look of this bird! A young osprey. Would it be smaller than a buzzard?

"Young Osprey on Nest" by Timothy Gass | RedBubble

[Johnny81]

I suppose a younger one might, my book only states generally lengths: Ospery - 52-60cm and buzzard 46-58cm but you can't take size as a given and only a rough guide.

[Dogghound]

It depends on the level of experience, an inexperienced observer could quite easily mistake a pale morph buzzard for a osprey. The crest is slightly strange and is perhaps a result of wind, or ruffled feathers as no british bird of prey has a crest.

[ExposingTheWild]

Hi Dogghound (interesting name)

My parents have been up again and managed to find it again. Did you see the picture in the link I posted 2 posts up?

They are pretty convinced it was/is a young osprey. They have been sited there in the last years when they are starting migration.

Dad has been birding for as long as I can remember and I am 29. He knows a buzzard when he sees one . To be fair I think Mum could even pick one out!

Thank you for the reply!

S

[htcdude]

It's definately an Osprey, nice photo too!

Nige