ID Bird of prey

***Chocky*** · 07-04-2008, 03:20 PM

I captured this today and thought it was a buzzard. I notice it has different under wing markings to a buzzard and also has a white tipped tail. I have a many shots of buzzards in sunlight and blue sky. non has a white tipped tail. What kind of bird is this But very very high.

**Merlin** · 07-04-2008, 10:45 PM

Interesting Beryl, though nothing straight forward about the ID.

Your first picture appears to show a creamy/yellowish head which leads to Marsh Harrier but this seems to be confused by the birds tail which appears to have some feathers missing and looks white tipped as you have said, it also appears to have a forked tail because of the missing feathers which would lean towards Red Kite.

In all honesty I don't think this is either of these birds and it certainly isn't a Buzzard which means - for me - your sighting remains unidentified......the one that got away Beryl. This can happen at times and it hurts.

Pete.

**rolf** · 07-04-2008, 10:55 PM

I had a good shuffle through my Birdguides Rom and have to say that there was no one bird with all of the apparent features. No sign of a jesse either, so that would normally rule out a captive non-native bird.

***Chocky*** · 07-04-2008, 11:12 PM

Thanks for you efforts.

The only bird with a white tipped tail I know of is the White Tipped Tailed Eagle and it is a very diffrent shape.

**andy b** · 08-04-2008, 10:34 PM

as you say its a tricky i.d. this.
i would tend to say that the tip of the tail feathers are damaged/worn. the light colouration at the tip looks like the sunlight showing through the thin feathering, as too in my opinion the creamy looking head looks like the sunlight catching it from behind. not sure what to make of it. had this on numerous occasions abroad. seeing a distant bird of prey and no idea what it is... frustrating!!

***Chocky*** · 08-04-2008, 10:46 PM

I don't think the head is white. With tail feathers missing you can't guess the shape of it. I was hoping it might come back today, no such luck. But I will keep an eye on the sky.

**wild goose** · 26-04-2008, 09:47 AM

My thoughts lean towards a Goshawk. Pictures 2 and 3 clearly show bulging secondaries and the typical barrel shaped body associated with a Goshawk.

The only problem is that picture one looks more like a buzzard species!

wild goose

***Chocky*** · 26-04-2008, 09:57 AM

Thanks Wild goose

Looking through the lens , it didn't look like any of the buzzards. How ever , I hope it will come lower next time if

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07-04-2008, 10:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Merlin Regular Member Info Real name: Pete Location: N W England Gallery: 6 Equipment: Nothing but my notebook which is one of the most important parts of birding. To go out without it (which I only ever did once) is like going out without your pants on. I've never understood why I responded to the 'Cameras and Equipment' question in this way because in reality I own a Leica Telescope with eyepieces, Zeiss Binoculars, and a Manfrotto Tripod all of which cost a positive fortune. Posts: 817 Join Date: Mar 2008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Interesting Beryl, though nothing straight forward about the ID. Your first picture appears to show a creamy/yellowish head which leads to Marsh Harrier but this seems to be confused by the birds tail which appears to have some feathers missing and looks white tipped as you have said, it also appears to have a forked tail because of the missing feathers which would lean towards Red Kite. In all honesty I don't think this is either of these birds and it certainly isn't a Buzzard which means - for me - your sighting remains unidentified......the one that got away Beryl. This can happen at times and it hurts. Pete.

08-04-2008, 10:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
andy b Regular Member Info Location: preston, lancashire Gallery: 0 Equipment: for the last 8 yrs i have used a kowa 60 mm scope, but hve recently bought an opticron hr66 ga. i too have have used a homemade digiscoping adaptor with my kowa.i used two different sized bushes to accomodate the scope eyepiece and camera lense.( with some good results!).... budget has always been a massive factor with my hobby. having a family, there are always other things which take financial p Posts: 523 Join Date: Oct 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	as you say its a tricky i.d. this. i would tend to say that the tip of the tail feathers are damaged/worn. the light colouration at the tip looks like the sunlight showing through the thin feathering, as too in my opinion the creamy looking head looks like the sunlight catching it from behind. not sure what to make of it. had this on numerous occasions abroad. seeing a distant bird of prey and no idea what it is... frustrating!!

26-04-2008, 09:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
wild goose Regular Member Info Location: Woodford Green Gallery: 0 Equipment: Samsung L80 digital camera Canon Powershot A40 Opticron HR66 Scope Posts: 53 Join Date: Sep 2007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My thoughts lean towards a Goshawk. Pictures 2 and 3 clearly show bulging secondaries and the typical barrel shaped body associated with a Goshawk. The only problem is that picture one looks more like a buzzard species! wild goose

Thames valley birds - Identification requests on birds, wildlife and plants If you need to identify, or confirm your thoughts on identity of a garden bird, wildfowl, waterfowl, bird of Prey or indeed any wildlife or plants, then ask here, including a photo (even a bad one) makes identification easier. ID Bird of prey

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