What kinda bird is this?

foolelle · 08-12-2010 1:53am #1

hi all, apologies for the very poor pic I couldnt get it zoomed fast enough to catch him.

went for a hike up the dublin mountains last wednesday, needless to say its quite another world up there during a heavy snow. (ive included a second pic for your enjoyment)

On my assent through kilmashogue forest spotted this guy flying over my head. shortly after he landed on a rock just up ahead of me, alas as soon as i reached for the camera he legged it.

can anyone tell me what it is?

Mothman · 08-12-2010 7:02am

More info would be useful.

An indication of size? Compare it to a bird you know.

An indication of colour if possible. Dark, light? Borwn, Grey?

stevensi · 08-12-2010 1:02pm

I'm thinking kestrel by the look of it but couldn't rule out a merlin. If you have any observations about it when it landed on the rock let us know

magicbastarder · 08-12-2010 1:06pm

looks like a holly to me!

wildlifeman · 08-12-2010 2:39pm

they all look alike from afar..i would guess kestrel too

Smartypantsdig · 08-12-2010 3:10pm

Gut instinct says kestrel but if the angle was better I wouldn't rule out sparrowhawk... though the wings do look pointed.

V Bull · 08-12-2010 9:10pm

Anyone know what type this little guy is. He was buzzing around a pair of Buzzards today....I dont think he is a Kestrel as he has redish legs, Thanks.

marlin vs · 08-12-2010 10:13pm

Sparrowhawk.

stevensi · 09-12-2010 8:54am

Yes a sparrowhawk. Notice the bars on the chest of the bird a kestrel would be streaked...

foolelle · 10-12-2010 5:57am

Mothman wrote: »

More info would be useful.

An indication of size? Compare it to a bird you know.

An indication of colour if possible. Dark, light? Brown, Grey?

he seemed to be about the same size as a crow, maybe slightly smaller, grey in colour, other than that ive nothing to go on, i looked down to get the camera and he was gone in a flash, apologies for the vagueness

heavyballs · 10-12-2010 5:59pm

foolelle wrote: »

he seemed to be about the same size as a crow, maybe slightly smaller, grey in colour, other than that ive nothing to go on, i looked down to get the camera and he was gone in a flash, apologies for the vagueness

it looks like a sparrow hawk to me but not at all sure

foolelle · 13-12-2010 2:26am

cool, thanks for all replies

Git101 · 13-12-2010 10:13am

I showed Foolelle's photo to a friend of mine, who I would regard as extremely knowledgeable in bird matters, especially raptors.
Without missing a beat he said kestrel, that would certainly be good enough for me.

Feargal as Luimneach · 13-12-2010 5:29pm

Git101 wrote: »

I showed Foolelle's photo to a friend of mine, who I would regard as extremely knowledgeable in bird matters, especially raptors.
Without missing a beat he said kestrel, that would certainly be good enough for me.

The flight silohouette tells us it's a raptor like bird (short head/neck, long tail, long wings), but IMO you can't definitely say it's a kestrel from that photo alone.

Git101 · 13-12-2010 6:28pm

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

The flight silohouette tells us it's a raptor like bird (short head/neck, long tail, long wings), but IMO you can't definitely say it's a kestrel from that photo alone.

You may well be right Feargal, all I can tell you is this guy has kept, bred and flown raptors all his adult life and didn't hesitate for a second when shown the photo.

This is my source

What kinda bird is this?

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