What is this bird?

[steve_b_wales]

I photographed this bird which was flying above our hotel in Egypt. I think it's a female Kestrel (?)

[jall25]

Peregrine or some form of falcon Gyr or Laner cross

Defo not a kestrel

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by jall25
Terrible spelling !!!

[Mickeydredd]

looks like a juvenile peregrine, won't be a Gyr in Egypt and assumed wild so won't be a cross.

[ninjaferret]

I'd say peregrine. Female.

[Walker570]

Haven't a clue but it is a great photo.

[steve_b_wales]

14 hours ago, ninjaferret said:

I'd say peregrine. Female.

It did actually swoop down on some small feeding birds (Siskins) and also, we found a few dead feral Pigeons that had been plucked and eaten.

[ninjaferret]

1 hour ago, steve_b_wales said:

It did actually swoop down on some small feeding birds (Siskins) and also, we found a few dead feral Pigeons that had been plucked and eaten.

Sounds like a peregrine, coloring although similar to a kestrel, doesn't look right, more a peregrine.

[chrisjpainter]

Peregrines aren't that common across Egypt - even if you include the 'barbary' falcon, which is sometimes claimed as a subspecies of peregrines. To my eye, the best fit would be a juvenile Lanner, as they're more abundant over Egypt. The creamy beige colouring fading into a pale vent works for this, as does the vertical stripes. Over time, these will develop into the classic horizontal barring. They mainly feed on small to medium sized birds. Peregrines are significantly more powerful and tend to go for larger prey items, so the fact that this one was chasing small passerines makes me think more Lanner, too. 

Where in Egypt was this taken?

[Penelope]

2 hours ago, chrisjpainter said:

Peregrines aren't that common across Egypt - even if you include the 'barbary' falcon, which is sometimes claimed as a subspecies of peregrines. To my eye, the best fit would be a juvenile Lanner, as they're more abundant over Egypt. The creamy beige colouring fading into a pale vent works for this, as does the vertical stripes. Over time, these will develop into the classic horizontal barring. They mainly feed on small to medium sized birds. Peregrines are significantly more powerful and tend to go for larger prey items, so the fact that this one was chasing small passerines makes me think more Lanner, too. 

Where in Egypt was this taken?

Agreed.

[steve_b_wales]

2 hours ago, chrisjpainter said:

Peregrines aren't that common across Egypt - even if you include the 'barbary' falcon, which is sometimes claimed as a subspecies of peregrines. To my eye, the best fit would be a juvenile Lanner, as they're more abundant over Egypt. The creamy beige colouring fading into a pale vent works for this, as does the vertical stripes. Over time, these will develop into the classic horizontal barring. They mainly feed on small to medium sized birds. Peregrines are significantly more powerful and tend to go for larger prey items, so the fact that this one was chasing small passerines makes me think more Lanner, too. 

Where in Egypt was this taken?

It was in Hurghada.

[chrisjpainter]

58 minutes ago, steve_b_wales said:

It was in Hurghada.

That fits in well with the Lanner distribution in Egypt. Nice spot!

[steve_b_wales]

5 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said:

That fits in well with the Lanner distribution in Egypt. Nice spot!

Thanks Chris. A guy at the hotel reckoned it was a Lanner.