Mystery bird of prey?

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Steve Wood
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Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Steve Wood » Mon Jul 22, 2019 7:42 am

Hi all
This image was forwarded to me last night of what appears to be an unusual bird of prey? - seen and photographed on the 13th July. Hill street Richmond ranges, Nelson.
Again just enough detail, I think, to cancel out the obvious Harrier, NZ Falcon.The person who took the image from his phone whilst in a car close to where he lives, is familiar with the two more obvious raptors of the region and says it was very different, very dark above and very white below.

Unfortunately I'm struggling to follow this one up at the moment, possibly the bird could have moved on but equally could still be in the area.
Any further updates from the original observer will be passed on.

Struggling to come to any simple, logical explanation of what this could be and the only choices that I have come up with, that look similar, are some what outrageous to say the least! .......very interesting bird.
Unidentified raptor (2).jpg
Unidentified raptor (2).jpg (224.85 KiB) Viewed 4223 times
Colin Miskelly
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:47 am

White-throated caracara?

Might need some better images to convince the RAC!

Cheers
Colin
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Steve Wood
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Steve Wood » Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:07 am

I was thinking more along the line of Meyer ‘s Goshawk or even pied Goshawk the bird does seem to have a dark throat which may not fit
Paynterq
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Paynterq » Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:28 am

I wonder if it is a lost little pied cormorant trying to fool us?
Colin Miskelly
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Jul 22, 2019 1:07 pm

The observer was a fisherman who was adamant that it wasn't a shag or cormorant.

C
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sav
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby sav » Mon Jul 22, 2019 1:41 pm

NB "He's a fisherman, so he knows what he's talking about" !!??
64363339_10217715015763933_1895881680661512192_n.jpg
64363339_10217715015763933_1895881680661512192_n.jpg (71.81 KiB) Viewed 4125 times
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
Paul Scofield
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Paul Scofield » Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:21 pm

Looks like an alternate plumaged Long-tailed Jaeger to me :)
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RussCannings
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby RussCannings » Mon Jul 22, 2019 5:01 pm

Very interesting. Don't know what it is but I like Steve's guesses the best. Structurally it seems to fit a Buteo hawk better but I can't think of any that match that plumage.
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sav
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby sav » Mon Jul 22, 2019 5:24 pm

I spent some time in the area today without any success.

The place is all life-style blocks and big houses, but access is difficult with few roads. It looks as if it might be worth looking from Aniseed Valley Rd which eventually gives access to Richmond Hill - above the presumed sighting point.

cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
Davidthomas
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Re: Mystery bird of prey?

Postby Davidthomas » Mon Jul 22, 2019 6:01 pm

I honestly still think it structurally fits a shag of some description. Quite thick legs without obvious toes/hallux which for such a bird of prey should be pretty obvious I would have thought. Colours and structure fits and I think it’s facing the camera which obscured the large bill. Because the face just frankly looks odd.

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