In my experience HB can be very tricky to do from dodgy photos like this, but if you see one in the field they are easy. Hence I think someone should be getting back to the photographer and ask him how it was flying, what was the wing profile etc, absolutely critical. My gut reaction is that this is a Common but I wouldn't put any money on that! I think there might be some photographic effect going on around the head giving it the HB profile.
Yes I agree it's not a good idea to conclude too much from one dodgy photo. I spoke to the photographer and he is very familiar with Common Buzzards and he thought it was something unusual but unfortunately he only had enough time to take a couple of shots (the others are worse then this one) as it was flying away from him - so was concentrating more on getting a photo.
MY gut reaction is maybe a 2cy Common Buzzard- tend to look different in wing, longer tailed than adults and moult and trailing edge of flight feathers- though not easy to judge suggest that. the tail looks very square ended for honey and not quite long enough to my eye.
...into the details and as far as I can see the pattern in the underwing is wrong for Honey and right for Common. Too many bars on underside off remiges for honey and don’t join up to form neat lines as Honey- So Pattern of small dark bars is like Common. Also looks like outer primaries all white- at least at base- again appearance better for Common than Honey
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9 comments:
Honey for me
Anyone can see this is bog obvious Whimbrel!
at moment then... it's about five calls for honey, five for common and one for whimbrel.
Pete
I asked Gerry Hinchon about this bird. His short reply.
you are right, dave. it has a CBs shortish, square-cornered tail, and shorter arm than HB, etc.
Cheers
Dave
Just got a reply from an Israel based birder- his guess is that its a honey!
As for my opinion on the matter-
it just looks odd- doesn't look like honey or common- looks like a bit of both!
In my experience HB can be very tricky to do from dodgy photos like this, but if you see one in the field they are easy. Hence I think someone should be getting back to the photographer and ask him how it was flying, what was the wing profile etc, absolutely critical. My gut reaction is that this is a Common but I wouldn't put any money on that! I think there might be some photographic effect going on around the head giving it the HB profile.
Yes I agree it's not a good idea to conclude too much from one dodgy photo.
I spoke to the photographer and he is very familiar with Common Buzzards and he thought it was something unusual but unfortunately he only had enough time to take a couple of shots (the others are worse then this one) as it was flying away from him - so was concentrating more on getting a photo.
Martin Garner has kindly commented on the bird:
MY gut reaction is maybe a 2cy Common Buzzard- tend to look different in wing, longer tailed than adults and moult and trailing edge of flight feathers- though not easy to judge suggest that. the tail looks very square ended for honey and not quite long enough to my eye.
...into the details and as far as I can see the pattern in the underwing is wrong for Honey and right for Common. Too many bars on underside off remiges for honey and don’t join up to form neat lines as Honey- So Pattern of small dark bars is like Common. Also looks like outer primaries all white- at least at base- again appearance better for Common than Honey
Is it possible to get in contact with Gerry Hinchon? I'm happy to pass on my email and mob number. Thanks Rebecca Garnett Haris
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