Raptors of the world

[Callie]

Ours has been renamed yellow billed kite (North Africa kept the black kite label). It's my practice BIF bird and I've always struggled with the exposure. I've seen over 50 in one place when there's a free meal. There was one rescue - release bird that thought the best game was to sneak up behind people and tap them on the head. Not popular with some people.

Peter
Interesting - YBK vs BK. here in SA, they are two, distinct species. YBK is Milvus parasitus vs the BK Milvus migrans, The YB has a much deeper fork in the tail than the BK. I shot what I thought was BK in the Kgalagadi, but an expert told me it was juvie YBK. Here are 2 YBK that I thought was BK from Kgalagadi TFP. And then the perching one is a YBK.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Notice, no fork in the tail
Here is the YBK, the fork is there even while sitting.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Here is one from Richardsbay; he has stolen the bait, and line, off a fisherman.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Note the yellow bill vs the black bill on BK. The YBK has a dark reddish eye.

 

[Squawk]

Another beaut vulture, not common ~ Kruger NP

View attachment 12300

View attachment 12299

I haven't seen a white headed for about 4 years now. Really struggling like the rest. I've noticed jackel shots are getting easier and I've put it down to vultures getting hammered. So these guys don't get to poison the lion because it's gone but do get rabies because of what they did get.

 

[Cristobal]

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

I took this photo early this morning in a public park of Quebec City; it was very cold and the owl was sleeping until she wakes up for a short time
D500 + 500 PF @ 1/640, F/5.6, ISO 900

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[JAS]

Steppe Eagle - photographed in Saudi Arabia. Only available camera was Nikon1 J3 with FT1 adapter and FX 70-300 mm lens.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Cutie, thanks!

 

[Squawk]

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

I took this photo early this morning in a public park of Quebec City; it was very cold and the owl was sleeping until she wakes up for a short time
D500 + 500 PF @ 1/640, F/5.6, ISO 900

View attachment 12335

That's tiny. It's adorable (if you're not a mouse).

 

[Squawk]

Steppe Eagle - photographed in Saudi Arabia. Only available camera was Nikon1 J3 with FT1 adapter and FX 70-300 mm lens.

View attachment 12336

View attachment 12337

I’ve got a soft spot for these. There’s been quite a bit of research using tracking packs that’s worth checking out. Even if you have posted, I can’t resist adding my own.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

I’ve got a soft spot for these. There’s been quite a bit of research using tracking packs that’s worth checking out. Even if you have posted, I can’t resist adding my own.

Love them too, long time since we have seen one. The gape here shows nicely that it is NOT a Tawny!

 

[Callie]

Lizard Buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus ~ Kruger NP ~ not one we often see!

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

Cape Vulture, Gyps coprotheres, ~ vulnerable~ Giant's Castle, Kwazulu/Natal
Note the light eye vs dark on the White-backed Vulture

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

In flight mugshot

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus - a sometimes handsome vulture
From Kruger and Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park,
Curling fingers - juvie

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You almost never can see the white back when the bird is at rest

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Gary Dietz]

Roadside Hawk, Costa Rica

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

I have seen and shot many African Fish-Eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer, but never yet the magical stretch, grab and off with the fish shot. However, I have seen it hover like a kingfisher, plonk down and come-up vertically like can be seen on this image below.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Juvie

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

juvie and adult Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus, ~ Kruger NP

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

The guy with attitude and panache ~ Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax - Kruger and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

Booted Eagle, Aquila pennatus, ~ Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park ~ A guy we have seldom seen and never yet to get anything but record shots.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

The white shoulder patches are diagnostic

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Doug Herr]

A few scanned slides from 1981
all: Denali National Park, Alaska USA

adult Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

immature Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

fledgeling Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

A few scanned slides from 1981
all: Denali National Park, Alaska USA

Love that cute owl! Great scans!

 

[Squawk]

Roadside Hawk, Costa Rica
View attachment 12380

Lovely bird. It deserves a better name.

 

[Squawk]

A few scanned slides from 1981
all: Denali National Park, Alaska USA

adult Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
View attachment 12394

immature Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
View attachment 12395

fledgeling Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)
View attachment 12396

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
View attachment 12397​

Spectacular, and even more so for the date. The adult Gos breast plumage is amazing, diurnal owls is a surprise and your falcon actually looks like a gryphon.

 

[Oosty]

Wow. Great shots. You've cornered the owl market. Where's the Pel's fishing owl (preferably catching a fish)?

Now that you ask - same trip to the Delta, same rig but very well hidden in the late afternoon shade

Pel's Fishing Owl

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

Now that you ask - same trip to the Delta, same rig but very well hidden in the late afternoon shade

Pel's Fishing Owl

View attachment 12435

Oosty
You are da Man. I am past green

 

[Squawk]

Now that you ask - same trip to the Delta, same rig but very well hidden in the late afternoon shade

Pel's Fishing Owl

View attachment 12435

Very beautiful and a really special bird. Thanks

 

[Squawk]

And one last bird that's special and hasn't turned up. African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster). Saw this guy with a crop full, drove a few miles and saw a Bateleur with a meal, drove a few more miles and saw a Martial come down for a kill. Some days just work.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Callie]

And one last bird that's special and hasn't turned up. African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster). Saw this guy with a crop full, drove a few miles and saw a Bateleur with a meal, drove a few more miles and saw a Martial come down for a kill. Some days just work.

Making us feel low on this side of the bush, Peter!
Do you have an image of his smaller cousin? I have onle ever seen one once a long time ago in Kruger