ML646098583

Beobachtungsdetails

After about five hours of morning birding at the wetland scanning for migratory ducks, our group of four was taking a break around noon when a Honey-buzzard flew overhead. We photographed it assuming it to be an Oriental Honey-buzzard, but a later review of the images raised suspicions that it might instead be a European Honey-buzzard or possibly a hybrid. After consulting several experts, including Nirav Bhatt, Md. Imran, and Ashwin Vishwanathan, all agreed that the bird was European. Md. Imran noted that the clearly visible dark carpals contrasting with the paler coverts should rule out a typical Oriental Honey-buzzard. The plumage and yellow iris indicate a male, and both the underwing and tail pattern support European as well. He mentioned that the number of “fingers” leaves a small possibility of hybrid origin, as the bird appears to be in moult. This is likely only the second record of European Honey-buzzard for Kozhikode district. A good reminder that what seems obvious in the field may not always be correct. Thanks to Aadithyan S for obtaining the sharp photographs that made this identification possible.