Bird of prey identification.

minktrapper

Need help to identify bird of prey.Was looking through a pair of binos for 5 mins or so.It was about the size of a kestrel or smaller and was perched about 10 ft above ground level. One crow landed near it then another and another.They just sat beside it and made no attempt to chase it away.It seemed to have a grey head with a dark back.At one stage it fanned its tail and it was a very distinctive grey like a cloud or the grey you see on a street lamp post.One of the crows then made a drive at it.And within 30 sec they were way up in the sky tumbling around.Would love to know what it was.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Sounds like a Male Kestrel.

minktrapper

All of tail seemed to be very grey and could not see any mottled colours on it.You might be right though it was just a littte too far away to make any proper id on it.

dodderangler

Could've been a Merlin but you'd be very lucky person to see one of them.
More than likely a kestrel tho

Tiercel Dave

If you're in a 'Cuckoo' area it sounds like it could have been one! Dave

whyulittle

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

If you're in a 'Cuckoo' area it sounds like it could have been one! Dave

Way up in the sky tumbling about after though? Or maybe that was just the crows.

minktrapper

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

If you're in a 'Cuckoo' area it sounds like it could have been one! Dave

Haven't heard a Cuckoo here in 15 yrs.But I did once upon a time see 5 Cuckoos together or within 100 yds of each other.And cuckooing to each other.Remarkable sight.

minktrapper

dodderangler wrote: »

Could've been a Merlin but you'd be very lucky person to see one of them.
More than likely a kestrel tho

I know a Kestrel used to keep one.The tail was just so strickingly grey.Kind of stood out a mile and was definitely a hawk.What length is a Merlin they are a small bird if I am not mistaken.

Birdnuts

minktrapper wrote: »

Haven't heard a Cuckoo here in 15 yrs.But I did once upon a time see 5 Cuckoos together or within 100 yds of each other.And cuckooing to each other.Remarkable sight.

It could be a Cuckoo - they look strikingly like a small grey hawk/falcon at times.

minktrapper

I know a Cuckoo.They have a very long tail.You would never see a Cuckoo flying high in the sky or at least I do not think you would.

Tiercel Dave

Are you sure it wasn't a male Kestrel, it would be smaller than a female and have a grey head and tail as you described. A Merlin would fly low and leave 'crows' for dust! Dave



Image belongs to 'whyulittle'

Bonedigger

Just another to throw into the mix - could it have been a peregrine?Grey head and back and they're not that large sizewise.It does have mottling on its tail,but at a distant might not be very noticeable.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Bonedigger wrote: »

Just another to throw into the mix - could it have been a peregrine?Grey head and back and they're not that large sizewise.It does have mottling on its tail,but at a distant might not be very noticeable.

Comparatively a lot bigger than a Kestrel though.

Bonedigger

Miriam Mushy Pea wrote: »

Comparatively a lot bigger than a Kestrel though.

A female yes,but a male peregrine perhaps?

dodderangler

A peregrine male is still good bit bigger than a kestrel.
A Merlin is near enough the same size as a kestrel. I've only see none that was rehabilitated and released

minktrapper

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Are you sure it wasn't a male Kestrel, it would be smaller than a female and have a grey head and tail as you described. A Merlin would fly low and leave 'crows' for dust! Dave



Image belongs to 'whyulittle'

Yes maybe the above.Excellent picture.Strange that crows would go to perch along side a kestrel though.Don't think I ever saw crows to harass kestrels as they do not pose any threat to them.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Don't let the crow behaviour muddle the issue. They behave the same towards all birds of prey.

minktrapper

I suppose.