Hello fellow birders! ID Help from Hong Kong (1 Viewer)

[Marten]

Hello,
I'm new to BirdForum.
I've been birding since I was a toddler and nowadays, as retired, I share my time between the UK, Sweden, Canada, and Hong Kong.

I have an ID question from Mai Po NR in HK - see photos. This bird of prey was in the same thermal as two Black Kites. The kites were larger and one mobbed the mystery bird. I guess it is an Eastern Marsh Harrier, but what do you think?

 

[Birdy1]

I'm afraid I can't help with the ID, but you will more likely get an ID if you ask in the Bird Identification Q&A section

 

[delia todd]

Hi Marten and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. Sorry, I can't help with this, but I'll move your post to the ID forum, where they're better placed to be able to help you.

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

 

[delia todd]

I'm afraid I can't help with the ID, but you will more likely get an ID if you ask in the Bird Identification Q&A section

Sorry, cross-posted Benji. I was in the process of moving it when your post came in LOL.

 

[Marten]

Thanks for moving my post here. I'm excited waiting for ID help.

 

[Paul Leader]

Hi, at this time of year both Eastern Marsh and Pied are equally likely. I’m not getting much of a feel for structure from these pics and the only plumage feature I’m getting (the pale base to primaries) suggests Western Marsh Harrier - for which there is only one previous record in HK. The photos are so dark, I don’t feel this is an accurate representation of the plumage. For me, this is a harrier sp.

 

[Marten]

Hi, at this time of year both Eastern Marsh and Pied are equally likely. I’m not getting much of a feel for structure from these pics and the only plumage feature I’m getting (the pale base to primaries) suggests Western Marsh Harrier - for which there is only one previous record in HK. The photos are so dark, I don’t feel this is an accurate representation of the plumage. For me, this is a harrier sp.

Hi,
My guide Kaizer Ng said he was 'quite certain that it is a Eastern Marsh Harrier (female ), which is one of the more common raptors we can find in Mai Po during the birding season.' My HKBWS Birds of Hong Kong claims that the Easatern Marsh Harrier is a 'Common winter visitor' and the Pied Harrier is an 'Uncommon migrant'.
Another keen birder on the walk said 'I thought the bird was an Oriental Honey-Buzzard, based on the flight profile, the long, narrow tail, and the small head protruding rather far forward. Now that I see your photo, which is quite good, I see that the wing color pattern also matches pretty well with Honey-Buzzard.'
So, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier or Oriental Honey-Buzzard?

 

[THE_FERN]

Hi,
My guide Kaizer Ng said he was 'quite certain that it is a Eastern Marsh Harrier (female ), which is one of the more common raptors we can find in Mai Po during the birding season.' My HKBWS Birds of Hong Kong claims that the Easatern Marsh Harrier is a 'Common winter visitor' and the Pied Harrier is an 'Uncommon migrant'.
Another keen birder on the walk said 'I thought the bird was an Oriental Honey-Buzzard, based on the flight profile, the long, narrow tail, and the small head protruding rather far forward. Now that I see your photo, which is quite good, I see that the wing color pattern also matches pretty well with Honey-Buzzard.'
So, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier or Oriental Honey-Buzzard?

It's a harrier. The honey buzzard has a different wing profile with the wings "pinched in" near the body (secondaries bulge out)

 

[Marten]

It's a harrier. The honey buzzard has a different wing profile with the wings "pinched in" near the body (secondaries bulge out)

Thanks

 

[Paul Leader]

Hi,
My guide Kaizer Ng said he was 'quite certain that it is a Eastern Marsh Harrier (female ), which is one of the more common raptors we can find in Mai Po during the birding season.' My HKBWS Birds of Hong Kong claims that the Easatern Marsh Harrier is a 'Common winter visitor' and the Pied Harrier is an 'Uncommon migrant'.
Another keen birder on the walk said 'I thought the bird was an Oriental Honey-Buzzard, based on the flight profile, the long, narrow tail, and the small head protruding rather far forward. Now that I see your photo, which is quite good, I see that the wing color pattern also matches pretty well with Honey-Buzzard.'
So, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier or Oriental Honey-Buzzard?

Harrier sp.

 

[JustinJansen]

Harrier sp.