[ID needed] Large bird of prey

Thoie

I look out over a large expanse of scrubland, and I'm looking at a large bird of prey that I can't identify at the moment.

I only have pathetic binoculars, and no camera that will capture him properly, so no photos I'm afraid. He's mostly brown with yellow feet and furry "trousers". Square tail, with the wings seeming to be a lighter brown than the rest of him. He's currently chewing on what looks like a rabbit, which he caught himself.

A hooded crow landed near him, and (again at a distance), the bird of prey looked to be about twice the size of the hooded crow.

We get a few birds of prey around here (mostly smallish ones), but this caught my eye as it's much much bigger than anything I've seen there before. Usually the smaller birds of prey catch mice as far as I can tell, but this one has a whole rabbit.

Any ideas what it might be, or is it useless without a photo? Anything else I should be looking for to help identify him?

magicbastarder

buzzard?
http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/IrelandsBirds/Raptors/Buzzard/tabid/396/Default.aspx

Thoie

I don't think so, the tail looks wrong.

I looked up http://birdbreedscentral.com/raptors/buzzard-common/ and the tail in the 5th picture (the small one above the big picture) is very long looking. The one I saw (some dogs came along and he's retreated to some trees, so I've lost sight of him for now) had a much stubbier tail and "furrier" legs.

It actually kind of most looks like the 4th big picture on the golden eagle page: http://birdbreedscentral.com/raptors/golden-eagle/ (the one with the golden eagle and the other smaller bird behind him).

But don't get too excited I'm in Dublin, and I thought they were very rare and were only released in Donegal.

The remains of the rabbit is still there (unless the dogs grab it), so I'm waiting to see if he comes back to it. In the meantime I'm charging the battery for my better camera, which has a bit of zoom (but still not enough for the distance).

OpenYourEyes

Honestly, everything you've said sounds perfect for a Buzzard. Tail size/shape can look different depending on the angle you see the bird, the distance, the light etc etc.

Thoie

Probably was. I didn't see it again, but will keep an eye out.

Fakediamond

Could it be a red kite? They were released in Newbridge Demense, Donabate in 2011.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Fakediamond wrote: »

Could it be a red kite? They were released in Newbridge Demense, Donabate in 2011.

Size is all wrong. Most likely a Buzzard.

ThaiTanic

Buzzard IMO

Thoie

Haven't seen it since, so we may never know. Have proper camera charged up and ready to go if it does come back though. Meanwhile the neighbours are probably getting worried that I've got a cheap pair of binoculars sitting on the windowsill at all times