Hobby colouration (1 Viewer)

[BenjiS]

I saw this hobby yesterday (05/09/23)
It seems good for Hobby, except for the lack of orange underparts - I can't see anything about a hobby without orange underparts
Is it just a young one, or is it just a strange aberration - or a completely different species (although I doubt this!)
I also don't think it was the light in the photo's as it was observed to have no orange in the field

TIA

(P.S. Sorry if this is in the wrong thread/group, I wasn't sure where to put it!)

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Benji,

yes you are right with a juvenile Hobby. Adding to the different color of the vent, please note the broad pale rusty-buff to the wing coverts and rump, absent in an adult

 

[William Lewis]

Excellent seeing them still around at this time of year, I had one on weekend walking from home, may be my last till next year so it was a rare treat.

 

[Patudo]

Love how that first shot shows the juv hobby's expression - all concentration as it homes in on the insect!