which raptor wing, please

[Lemars]

I found this wing on the roadside yesterday. I imagine it had been there for a while and my husband thought I was disgusting to have picked it up.

I couldn't tell if it had been shot (quite likely - the hunting season is in full swing), hit by a vehicle or attacked by a fox, but I thought it might have been from a buzzard - they're very common here.

When I looked in the book, I couldn't be sure it wasn't of the identification.

Could anyone tell me what it's from, please

The longest feather is 36cm.

C

[Acipiter]

Pheasant.

[Lemars]

Well, dagnabbit, Acipiter - I hadn't thought of that. Makes much better sense too - thank you for your help.

C

[The Woodman]

Sorry, I don't think that's a wing from a pheasant.



Pheasants and their wings - female on left, male on left.

[Lemars]

Funnily enough, when Acipiter suggested a pheasant, I went back to the book and had some doubts myself. I realised the shape wasn't right for the raptors, but I have to admit the pheasant shaped wing is more a match.

Yesterday, I couldn't decide if it was Buzzard or (from the book) even Kite and I hadn't thought of looking at anything else.

Now that you're raised a doubt, too Woodman, I'm going to see if anyone else can suggest anything.

C

[Acipiter]

I had a look through my books as you have got me at it now, it does not match any raptor that I can see. The only thing that I can suggest is there are more then one strain of pheasant, maybe its one of those.

[beech]

This pic shows feathers from 2 different buzzard they look similar to the feathers shown in your pic

[FUDGEY]

Id go for Buzzard.

[Acipiter]

I have plenty of buzzard feathers, and mine look nothing like your picture.

[Lemars]

and I thought this was going to be so simple................................!!

Maybe I'm just never going to know for sure. Thank you all for your ideas - maybe there's an definitive answer somewhere out there.

Interesting though...

C