bird help needed

[mawds]

Just seen some type of falcon/hawk in the garden, and need some help in identification:

about the size of a jackdaw (bigger than a kestrel)
very dark grey back/wings, throat/belly lighter grey
white markings about 3/4 way down folded wings - elongated white spots

not close enough to see beak colour/ask it what species it was, so any ideas?

[john75]

was at a family lunch the other day when someone said you should see the size of those "Tits" not sure I was supposed to be lookng at my cousin at the time.

[caduceus]

mawds said:

white markings about 3/4 way down folded wings - elongated white spots

Sure thats not where another bird has shat on it?














Sorry

[Frik]

Kestrel's are about the same size as a jackdaw.

Could be a female Sparrowhawk or Merlin.

[towman]

How long do you reckon it took Vixpy to check out this thread?

[Frik]

towman said:

How long do you reckon it took Vixpy to check out this thread?

:looksatwatch:

3...2...1...

[FunkyNige]

My guess is Sparrowhawk

www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/s/sparrowhawk/index.asp?i=1

[wedg1e]

Peregrine?

[Boosted Ls1]

Did you note the colour of it's legs or eyes, serious question Did you see it fly, if so were the wings pointed at the ends or more rounded like a crows wings.

Boosted.

[GKP]

Between the Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, the Peregrine has a whiteish/light grey breast whereas the Sparrowhawk has horizontal stripes across the same area.
The Peregine's head is dark, while the Sparrowhawk has white fleks over it's face.
The Peregrine has a wingspan of around 100ish cm and the Sparrowhawk is smaller at approx 65 cm wingspan. Both are readily found oop north.


This is all according to my gf reading out of the Collins Complete British Birds book. We have such fun on a Saturday night, sometimes.

[vixpy1]

Frik said:

towman said: How long do you reckon it took Vixpy to check out this thread? :looksatwatch: 3...2...1...

Yes, it caught me out

[Boosted Ls1]

Sparrowhawk has yellow legs and yellow eyes, peregrine has yellow legs and black eyes. PG is very dark on the back to look at. Sometimes they look almost black.

What sort of countryside do you have around you, any woods or cliffs, hedges? Lastly, what was the bird doing?

Boosted.

[carconnoisseur]

a Peregrine like this maybe?

[Boosted Ls1]

"a peregrin like this", nope his one had a limp

Good pic though, where did you find it?

Boosted.

[turbobloke]

mawds said:

Just seen some type of falcon/hawk in the garden, and need some help in identification: about the size of a jackdaw (bigger than a kestrel) very dark grey back/wings, throat/belly lighter grey white markings about 3/4 way down folded wings - elongated white spots not close enough to see beak colour/ask it what species it was, so any ideas?

Are you anywhere near Eccup Reservoir? There are some red kites around and they're known to scavenge in gardens. There's also a lot to be seen alongside the M4 and M40 between London and Wilts / Oxford, apparently originally introduced from the continent but doing well. From a car they look like a typical bird of prey soaring above the embankments (not hovering) with dark wings and two lighter bands underneath each wing. Unless there's really good lighting they can look dark rather than red.

[rich 36]

Great tits,
like melons!



little known fact that

hmmmm

[carconnoisseur]

Boosted Ls1 said:

Good pic though, where did you find it? Boosted.

I just stuck it in Google Images and that is one of the better pics that came up. It is from the website of someone who works at the University of Washington in the US, apparently it just came and sat on the balcony of their hotel room and she got a few pics! clicky When I was younger I had a bit of an interest in birds of prey so have seen a few Peregrine's in action....dropping out of the sky at mega speed, very impressive

>> Edited by carconnoisseur on Saturday 7th January 21:18

[V6GTO]

Watch your fingers!

[rich 36]

Knew it dammit!

[mybrainhurts]

Low Flying Shitehawk