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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  What kind of raptor it is ?
        
(Message started by: Hinson on Nov 27^th, 2003, 1:26pm)

Title: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Hinson on Nov 27^th, 2003, 1:26pm

I saw this today 11am over a gov't land near seaside at whampoa.
A raptor was flying and staying in the air just like the behavior of kindfisher. A few second it moved to another position in the air. Its head was pointing to the ground. A few second later it landed on the ground and chased something. I don't know if it could catch or not. Its underpart of wings seemed pale and having pattern. The tail was round in shape. I rejected the guess of eagles or hawk. Would it be a buzzard?
"Staying in the air" was interesting and was the first time I saw.
HL

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Webcreeper on Nov 27^th, 2003, 11:31pm

I can think of two raptors that can hover in mid air:

Kestrel, which is more common
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/framec.html

Black-shouldered Kite
http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=859

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Mike Turnbull on Nov 28^th, 2003, 1:13pm

Those species do both hover, but so does Common Buzzard fairly frequently, and there are a lot around at the moment. I think that's the most likely explanation here.

Mike Turnbull.

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Webcreeper on Nov 28^th, 2003, 9:07pm

Thanks! Haven't seen one doing that before :-[, time to do more field work.

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Hinson on Nov 28^th, 2003, 10:26pm

Thanks all.
I have learnt the word "hover". After compared among the photos of black-shouldered kite, kestrel and common buzzard, I am quite sure to say that that raptor was not the first and second one. Their color, shape and size are not matched. I believe it is a common buzzard.
Thanks.
HL

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Daniel CK Chan on Nov 29^th, 2003, 12:30am

on 11/28/03 at 22:26:11, Hinson wrote:

Hinson,
Attached please find the photos of a Common Buzzard with behaviour of "Staying in the air" for your reference. Will it be the species you saw?
Regards
Daniel
12/11/03
MPNR
http://www.danielckchan.com/b20030356.jpg
http://www.danielckchan.com/b20030357.jpg

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Hinson on Dec 1^st, 2003, 10:23am

Daniel,
Yes, the species that I saw was really this one. However, these pictures freezed its motion. I still remember at that time it moved its wings very fast to maintain its position (really like kingfisher). Its body inclined 45deg to the ground. The whole process lasted for 10sec. Sorry it is hard to explain the interestiing points solely by words and pictures.
HL

Title: Re: What kind of raptor it is ?
Post by Daniel CK Chan on Dec 1^st, 2003, 2:06pm

on 12/01/03 at 10:23:09, Hinson wrote:

Hinson,
I believe that I saw/pictured this bird which had similar behaviour (i.e. maintenance its position by fast wings motions except 45 degree) as per your description although its motion was frozen.
Cheers,
Daniel