Innholdsfortegnelse for Birds of Prey i Bird ID Photo Guides

Common Buzzard is now a widespread raptor across Britain after reversing its decline over the last few decades – this means that many birders are familiar with its typical plumages. However, every year the less frequent pale-morph birds cause a lot of confusion, and the unwary can misidentify them as Osprey, or even much rarer eagle species. ID expert Andy Stoddart helps you sort out the differences between these sometimes confounding birds of prey. Basic Principles In spring a large raptor circles lazily in the distance, and as it does so it looks extensively white below. Is it a Common Buzzard? Or is it perhaps an Osprey? Could it even be something rarer? Distant raptors are notorious for giving teasing glimpses and rarely stay around for long, so it is…

After almost having been lost in Britain, Red Kite is an increasingly familiar sight across the country – a real conservation success. However, identification can be made trickier by the much rarer Black Kite. The very unfamiliarity of the latter means that it could be overlooked, especially with distant views. The outlying possibility of both Asian and African subspecies, plus hybrids, further complicates the picture. Dick Forsman offers all the advice you need to confidently recognise these species in all plumages. Basic Principles Europe has two species of Milvus kites: Red Kite and Black Kite. In Britain the former is an increasing resident, while Black is a rare visitor, mostly seen in spring and autumn. In a wider context, Red Kite is a western, typically European species, while Black has…

Any falcon is an impressive sight, and these three species are no exception. Peregrine is the default in Britain, where it is deemed a conservation success story following a dramatic increase that came after a population crash in the 1960s. Eurasian Hobby is a summer visitor to much of Britain but is rarer in the far north and west. With seven accepted records to date, Eleonora’s Falcon is a true mega, but with four of these occurring between July and September it’s worth having the species on your radar at this time of year. Andy Stoddart provides all the information you need to recognise each of these falcons in the field. Basic Principles Falcons are always exciting, often sudden and dramatic in their appearances, but they can present significant identification…

With the increase in numbers of Common Buzzard and the spread of its range throughout eastern England, the greater frequency of pale birds means the potential for confusion with the much rarer Rough-legged Buzzard is a real pitfall. There has been an influx of the latter species this winter, so as Andy Stoddart reveals, there is no better time to get to grips with the identification issues and test yourself in the field. Basic Principles The sight of a ghostly Rough-legged Buzzard is the highlight of any winter day, but a regular problem facing observers and county records committees is that of separating these Scandinavian visitors from Common Buzzard, the not infrequent pale examples of which can closely resemble their much rarer cousin. Common Buzzard One of the major ornithological…

A perennial problem, the separation of Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Northern Goshawk is exacerbated by the scarcity of the latter species in Britain. Many birders’ lack of regular sightings and the potential similarity of the two on poor views mean that it is always a good idea to have the appropriate ID criteria handy. However, it is also in late winter and early spring that both species are most obvious as they are displaying, so there is no better time to brush up on your field experience. Andy Stoddart helps you through the diagnostic features of each so that you can call an Accipiter with confidence. Basic Principles An encounter with either of Britain’s two Accipiter hawk species is always an exciting moment. However, although Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Northern Goshawk are…

The seemingly inexorable spread of Common Buzzard across Britain is a conservation success story; it is now our most regular diurnal raptor. However, despite increased familiarity with this species, confusion with the much scarcer European Honey Buzzard remains a real risk. Although not closely related, the latter can appear very similar to Common Buzzard, and with May being peak migration for European Honey Buzzard now is the time to improve your identification skills with Andy Stoddart’s comprehensive advice. Basic Principles Common Buzzard is an abundant species across most of Britain. There are, however, far fewer opportunities to see European Honey Buzzard, a species which, although not even a close relative, represents a real confusion risk. Common Buzzard Common Buzzard breeds throughout the Palearctic and occurs in a number of subspecies.…