Unknown raptor Les Alpilles (France, Mediterranean) on May 3th, 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Frank-birding]

A couple of days ago I saw this bird of prey. It was very high ascending in a thermal bubble accompanied by several Honey Buzzards. I was hiking in the Alpilles, a tiny mountain range in the very south of France (near the Camargue) were apart from Honey Buzzards also Buzzards, Kites, Booted -, Short-toed - and Bonelli's Eagles regularly occur.

It may well have been a Honey Buzzard as well of course, but somehow it seemed a bit different.

I hope someone can help me with the ID, despite the abysmal images... (taken from a great distance).

Regards,
Frank

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Frank,

you know I trust original observers much more than such pictures, but if forced in quiz modus, I would opt for a Black Kite. What was your impression in the field?

And I wait for more comments!

 

[Frank-birding]

Hi Alexander,

I didn't really get an impression in the field unfortunately. The bird was very high and very far off (images taken with an >1100mm equivalent lens, cropped and enlarged) and I was looking into a very bright sky. But Black Kite seems a very likely candidate indeed. Only the apparently light underside made me doubt a Kite ID somewhat. But this stuck me only after looking at the images afterwards (so 'quizzing' my own images as well

The light underside of the bird was mostly caused by sunlight hutting the bird from aside of course, but not entirely because also in the shadow parts it seems somewhat light. (Whereas the head appears darker). This in combination with the straight tail made me wonder if I had perhaps had a Booted Eagle in my sights.

Regards, Frank

 

[Butty]

Booted eagle does show a sharp-cornered tail, but I can't see the tail-shape here being anything other than black kite. I don't trust some of the apparently-palish areas.

 

[Frank-birding]

Then Black Kite it is! There were many around, so highly likely in any case.

Thank you very much Alexander and Butty for your help with this ID!
Frank

 

[lou salomon]

wing shape and posture of wings doesn't match Black Kite at all. It looks like a Honey Buzzard to me. Note it's a more or less front view and wings are foreshortened, still bulging secondaries, long bars in wings and small head seem to be present in this bird.

 

[jogresh]

My thought was Bonellis.. 🤔🤷

 

[Southern Viking]

Agred with Lou with HB. think the apparent tail fork is a red herring. I could convince myself on Bonelli's too though...

 

[Andy Adcock]

Agred with Lou with HB. think the apparent tail fork is a red herring. I could convince myself on Bonelli's too though...

In other words, not safely ID'able IMO.