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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Raptor - id please!
        
(Message started by: KK Hui on Nov 29^th, 2004, 7:14pm)

Title: Raptor - id please!
Post by KK Hui on Nov 29^th, 2004, 7:14pm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/kkhui/Avian/291104_07x.jpg

MPNR
29/11/04

KK Hui ARPS
www.geocities.com/kkhui_001

Title: Re: Raptor - id please!
Post by Mike Kilburn on Nov 30^th, 2004, 12:12am

HI KK

This is a Common Buzzard.

Why?

The best hint is in the wings: dark tips with clearly marked pale primaries on a basically brown medium-sized raptor.

Also the tail and neck are rather short and the bill is small but not weak-looking.

The species to eliminate depend to a certain extent on the time of year. Amongst medium-sized raptors youneed to eliminate Eastern Marsh Harrier, Crested Honey Buzzard and Bonelli's Eagle. Grey-faced Buzzard is not around.

Marsh Harrier is longer tailed and is rarely streaky like this and never shares this wing pattern

Crested Honey Buzzard is much rarer has rather variable plumage, but with a pic of such good quality you would see the small head on a longer neck, a larger eye and smaller, weak-looking bill.

First winter Bonelli's Eagle is larger, usually more uniform brown, longer winged and longer-tailed and the bill is larger.

Hope this is helpful. I welcome any comments

Cheers
Mike

Title: Re: Raptor - id please!
Post by KK Hui on Nov 30^th, 2004, 8:15am

Thank you Mike for your detailed explanation!
Much appreciated ... :)

KK Hui ARPS
www.geocities.com/kkhui_001