Merlin? Tehran. IR (1 Viewer)

[Andy Adcock]

Gonna have to stay in the Iranian Merlin camp.

Me too, just doesn't strike me as a Kestrel at all.

 

[Rotherbirder]

100% Kestrel for me. ‘Jizz’, build, proportions (especially tail length), lack of coarse patterning on flank and patterned rather than plain wing coverts support this ID.

RB

 

[Brian J Small]

Kestrel for me too, despite trying to make an identification from a very poor photograph.

I have tried to get any more detail out, but not really possible; I think the marked black area is tip of outer tail feather, which is too short for Merlin

 

[Butty]

I think the marked black area is tip of outer tail feather

I disagree. I think that's one of the bars on the outermost tail-feather.

 

[ryckfour]

Kestrel for me too, despite trying to make an identification from a very poor photograph.

I have tried to get any more detail out, but not really possible; I think the marked black area is tip of outer tail feather, which is too short for Merlin

Surely Kestel has a longer tail than Merlin?

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

Surely Kestel has a longer tail than Merlin?

I don't think Brian was talking about tail length. When you leave out the distortions in the picture, such as what appears to be a stripe above the eye, the bird does have the shape of a Kestrel.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

It's clealy not a pallidus Merlin IMO, which Peter suggested earlier to explain away flank and tail pattern since, there are 2 major anomalies which readily exclude that taxon 1) the OP has a distinct (broken) moustachial stripe, absent in pallidus and 2) the underpart streaking is way too strong; reduced to fine shaft streaks particularly across breast in pallidus.

I see no reason why its not a Kestrel, the suggested anomalous head pattern a result of photographic effect.

Grahame

 

[alirezakiani]

Thanks to all.
I would like to mention that the OP bird is identified as a Eurasian kestrel by Iran bird records committee lately...