Help with identification

[paul linton]

Just like to know if anyone can put a name to the type of bird these are,live in east yorkshire and very rare to see birds of prey,
sorry for the image quality as i was only out with the dog for his walk and could not get close to the area they were in,maybe next week i will set up camp in the field and try and get something decent.
Paul

[jhdee]

Re: Help with identification

I think they could be Buzzards - but I'm sure someone with far more expertise than me will be along shortly to advise.

[paul linton]

Re: Help with identification

Thanks jhdee
Think your right, been looking at a few books and says they like farmland and nearby woods to nest in and that just sums up the area perfectly
many thanks paul

[Stan]

Re: Help with identification

Hi Paul
Very difficult to tell from the shots but I would say either buzzards or because of the tail feather flare i wonder about red kites but not sure if you would see them in Yorkshire

Stan

[paul linton]

Re: Help with identification

Thanks stan
Sorry about the image quality best i could do at the time, were taken with 300mm +1.4 conv, couldn't even get to lock the focus with the grey sky and small supject ,but just thought best to capture some thing just for a reference.
PAUL.

[Canon-Fodder!]

Re: Help with identification

Mmmmm - I'm unsure about these...

Like Stan, with the tail-flare I'd consider Red Kite... but the bulk of the body and straight-wings tends to suggest Common Buzzard...

Kites typically have more of a 'kink' in the wings, and are more 'delicate' than the bully-boy Buzzard!

#4 is certainly more Buzzard like for the tail...

If I had to place a bet; I'd probably opt for Buzzard - but it would be an 'each-way' !

[paul linton]

Re: Help with identification

Thanks CF
Must try and get a cleaner image if poss but have a busy weekend motocross/horse jumping not sure which to see and photograph, why does everything happen at once !!!
Paul

[Rover]

Re: Help with identification

Hi Paul
Very difficult to tell from the shots but I would say either buzzards or because of the tail feather flare i wonder about red kites but not sure if you would see them in Yorkshire

Stan

Lots of Red Kites in West Yorkshire around Harewood House following a successful and on-going programme to re-introduce them. Worth a visit for anyone reasonably nearby who might like to see them. I've counted nine in the air at the same time which was a quite spectacular show. There is also a bird garden there with all sorts of other types to see, although photographing through the wire is not the easiest thing. There might well be similar programmes in East Yorkshire.

[Stuart]

Re: Help with identification

Looks like they're all Buzzards. At this time of year, you will see many birds lacking feathers in their tails and wings - this is noticable in the top image. This is due to the birds shedding their feathers and growing their new plumage.

[colin C]

Re: Help with identification

Buzzards.

Male and female out hunting together. Female about a third as large again as the male. Splayed wing tip feathers are typical of soaring buzzards. Stuart's point regarding the shedding of a tail feather is correct. They will shed the outer ones in pairs and the central singly. This appears to have happened with the male, which could imply that it was a red kite, but the female's tail is intact. Buzzards and red kites wouldn't be flying together, they would be attacking! Although I have seen them in close proximity at red kite feeding stations.

* Red kites are more slightly built, smaller, have a longer tail with a central fork.

* Golden Eagle has a similar silhouette, but a much longer wingspan.

* Harriers have a more slender wingshape and longer tail.

Colin

[paul linton]

Re: Help with identification

Thanks to everybody for there help I'll go for Buzzards,as i said i will try and get some better images next week if poss ?
Many thanks Paul