Am I right in thinking this is a Buzzard? I'm not certain but it's certainly a big bird of prey. I took the pics in Devon recently (from the top of Brentor). Look at the bird's wing - it looks like it's broken! I wonder what happened to the poor thing! Still it had no problem flying and hovered down the hill for a while, so I was able to get these few pics. They're so majestic and graceful flying, aren't they? Gorgeous bird, even with the bad wing!
I'm no expert so better wait for confirmation but I suspect this bird is moulting. Birds of prey moult there primary and secondary wing feathers one from each wing at a time so they are always able to fly. Mallards replace all their flight feathers at the same time and as a consequence are unable to fly for a few weeks. Females congregate away from the males during this period. I once saw 411 ( count 'em ) on a local river.
My gallery here
I never cease to be amazed at how much I didn't know I didn't know.
Yes, it's in wing moult, nothing wrong with it. Many adult birds are starting to look a bit rubbish at this time of year :) That's an amazing collection of Mallards, Galatas, though it looks to me as though there are adult males in eclipse plumage among them.
psst, want to see my blog? http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
Great set of photographs of the Buzzard!
Blinking heck Aiki have you got a Bionic eye. thats is as you say though a great collection of Mallards.
A
andrewa Great set of photographs of the Buzzard! Blinking heck Aiki have you got a Bionic eye. thats is as you say though a great collection of Mallards. A
I'm not sure! But I think I can see a few darker crowns and yellow bills among them :)
Had a search for images of moulting Buzzards just now and found this poor specimen - still flying though! http://www.flickr.com/photos/yazzoo9sash13/5575222498/
Gosh virtually no tail feathers at all and a fair few missing from the wings.
By the way, loved your peregrine pictures on your blog. I really should have gone to see them while I was home.
Well done Ella on getting those fantastic photos, you normally see them from below.
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
It's something you hear about but to see it in pictures. Wonderful set of images Ella.
Thanks everyone! I'm so pleased I had my camera at hand to get those photos. Was wonderful watching him hovering around like that, so near. And I'm glad he's just moulting and hasn't got a damaged wing!