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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Klutz needs Raptor help
        
(Message started by: anonymous_guy2 on Nov 19^th, 2005, 5:54pm)

Title: Klutz needs Raptor help
Post by anonymous_guy2 on Nov 19^th, 2005, 5:54pm

Is it a Buzzard ? :-[ Thankshttp://lamma.hk/image_files/birds/AGuy_09593%20-%20Buzzard%20%5BButeo%20buteo%5D.jpg

And this one? (sorry about the quality)

http://lamma.hk/image_files/birds/AGuy_09544.jpg

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help
Post by Falcon on Nov 19^th, 2005, 9:02pm

the first one looks like a Buzzard to me! and the second one is a Hobby. ;)

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help,
Post by miket on Nov 19^th, 2005, 11:25pm

Agree the first photo is of a Common Buzzard, but for the second I think Amur Falcon (imm. or perhaps more likely female) needs to be considered - the underwing pattern seems to fit better, as do the limited extent of the underbody streaking, the apparently red feet (though that may be just my imagination!) and the general shape, though with that it must be said that I've personally never seen any free-flying falcon in such a ragged condition.

Can I also add that in trying to identify raptors, and other species, from photos it would help a lot to know where and when they were taken.

Mike Turnbull

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help
Post by anonymous_guy2 on Nov 20^th, 2005, 9:59am

Apologies.......... both photoes were tyaken yesterday on the hills on Lamma Island.

RE: the second bird........... a couple of extra pics......... could it be a female Merlin?

http://lamma.hk/image_files/birds/AGuy_09529.jpg
heavily highlighted..........
http://lamma.hk/image_files/birds/AGuy_09537.jpg

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help.
Post by miket on Nov 20^th, 2005, 3:58pm

These shots serve to clinch this as an Amur Falcon, adult female, I think, though I'm saying that without checking detailed reference material. The very clear dark trailing edge to the underwing, the thin moustachial and above all the now clearly visible red legs and feet are all characters of that species and not Hobby.

Merlin has never occurred in Hong Kong, and seems quite unlikely to do so - though anything is possible - since it is very tolerant of hard weather. No plumage of Merlin really resembles what we can see in these pictures. Basically they are either blue and orange, or brown and 'dirty' white, not almost black and white as this bird is on its underparts at least.

Do submit this record, as it's yet more evidence of the change in status of this species in Hong Kong.

Mike Turnbull

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help.
Post by anonymous_guy2 on Nov 20^th, 2005, 5:53pm

on 11/20/05 at 15:58:52, miket wrote:

Do submit this record, as it's yet more evidence of the change in status of this species in Hong Kong.

Mike Turnbull

Informed Birdline & also email to recorder@hkbws.org.hk. Is that what I have to do?

Thanks your help................ bit of a tatty lady though ;)

Title: Re: Klutz needs Raptor help
Post by Falcon on Nov 21^st, 2005, 2:19am

Thanks Mike, learned something new! ;D