Hi,
Just joined and have a photo I need help with. I took these pictures of a bird of prey over my home. I believed it to be a sparrow hawk or a goshawk. However a friend who is a avid birdwatcher says it is neither of these and is in fact a lanner falcon. Can anyone help to identify this bird for me many thanks.
Thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul. Your friend is closer as it is a falcon. Lanners don’t occur as wild birds in the UK, though escaped birds (either pure birds or hybrids) do sometimes occur from falconers. Your photo shows our most common falcon- a Kestrel, often seen hovering along roadsides.

Sparrowhawks overlap in size with Kestrels but have broader wings. The much scarcer Goshawk is a much larger bird.

Thanks,
The reason I did not think it was a kestrel was because of it’s size, and speed when it moves away. It’s flight path is also in a wavy line, rather than the zigzag flight of a kestrel. I have taken these photos which show a bit more detail. However looking at Kestrel pictures online I think you are correct. I am just used to seeing kestrels and they appear to be smaller ant slower than this bird.
Paul

Great images…unfortunately seeing a Kestrel is becoming rarer and rarer where i live..

Thanks,
This is the only one that appears were I live. Hope it is one of a breeding pair.
Paul

as said its a Kestrel female

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Thanks,
Nice to know it is female. How do you tell?
Paul

Try having a conversation about the offside rule with it.

Males have grey heads, Paul. This link is to one in the Gallery here.

Dave

Kestrel – Falco tinnunculus – Wildlife Photography

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Thanks Dave,
Still learning on identification of birds. The link is a big help. Can clearly see the difference between the two birds. Hope this site will help.
Paul