Raptor ID?

[Spadge]

This is another one of those glimpses-seen-while-driving, unfortunately.

When the bird was head on to me, it was gliding with the wings in a shallow downward curve, with its body at the top.

As it passed overhead, I saw the wing ends were rounded, not pointed. The tail was not fanned out at all, so was seen to be rectangular shaped and square ended.

I am used to seeing buzzards all over the place but this one didn't seem to fit the pattern. Any ideas?

regards,
S

[Twitcheruth]

Maybe a Sparrowhawk??

[Spadge]

Hi Ruth,

When I mentioned buzzards, I didn't make it clear that this was to give a rough idea of the apparent size of the bird. Wingspan must have been about 1 metre.

I think I was hoping that the down-curved wing posture was characteristic of a particular species and it could be that it isn't.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

S

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by Spadge

Hi Ruth,

When I mentioned buzzards, I didn't make it clear that this was to give a rough idea of the apparent size of the bird. Wingspan must have been about 1 metre.I think I was hoping that the down-curved wing posture was characteristic of a particular species and it could be that it isn't.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

S

Not a Sparrowhawk then......the only other I can think of is maybe a Red Kite but your tail description doesn't really fit?