Wildlife

Ask an expert Can I send a photo, to help identify a bird of prey please? He was stunned but flew away after 10 mins! We think he was being mobbed by the local rookery and flew into our house. About 18" from head to tail tip.

Can I send a photo, to help identify a bird of prey please? He was stunned but flew away after 10 mins! We think he was being mobbed by the local rookery and flew into our house. About 18" from head to tail tip.

HayleyDevon 26/07/2022 12:50

0 Germain 26/07/2022 14:24

I hope that someone with more BOP experience comes along but for the moment I think it might be a young Merlin - and I am as surprised as he is to see him like that -

Cin J
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0 HayleyDevon 26/07/2022 14:26

Hi Dave, thanks for replying. I'm in the uk, in the southwest. There was a loud bang about 6am, we think he hit the patio window, but can't see an imprint, he could've hit the roof instead, we're in a dorma so he was pretty low!
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0 HayleyDevon 26/07/2022 17:54

Thanks everyone, enlightening, it will be a sparrowhawk until proven differently. We've been here 20 years, never happened before, thank goodness. There are hanging baskets and pots all around the window too. Beautiful bird, I'm so glad it recovered. Thank you for your help.
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0 rspbailey 26/07/2022 18:15

Robbo has got it right - the markings rule out all other candidates.

Can I ask why you took a photo of a photo on your phone?

When trying to ID birds always upload the original.

This one was quite clear for a photo of a photo on a phone, but if you want a definite answer then upload a definite (ergo original) photo please.
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