Found in South Wingfield Churchyard. A bit chewed round the neck. Sparrow hawk v Kestrel I'm guessing. (1 Viewer)

[veemauve]

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

the poor bird is a Kestrel. Please note:
brown back, nearly bronze (but not). A good colouration for this species and as its rare or absent in other european raptors (even the variable Common Buzzard, that lacks this nearly bronze tinge too), together with the regular cross-bar pattern this is nearly enough for a female Kestrel.

 

[veemauve]

Hello,

the poor bird is a Kestrel. Please note:
brown back, nearly bronze (but not). A good colouration for this species and as its rare or absent in other european raptors (even the variable Common Buzzard, that lacks this nearly bronze tinge too), together with the regular cross-bar pattern this is nearly enough for a female Kestrel.

Thanks for the reply Alexander

 

[delia todd]

Hi veemauve and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm not too sure about the culprit though, as a Sparrowhawk would have left a pile of feathers, they almost invariably start plucking at the breast feathers first, unless he was chased off very quickly? Another possibility is having been hit by a car and made it to where you found it before dying. No idea what caused the damage round the neck though.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola! Welcome to Birdforum