Bird beak ID

[Pignut]

Can anyone ID a bird from just a beak?

found this at a recent gathering and wondered what it was from!

Tail feathers wher light cream/tan with darker horizontal stripes

Any help would be apreciated

the total lenth is about 30mm

 

[ady05]

looks a bit like kestrel or sparrowhawk

 

[Ben_Hillwalker]

Falcon beaks have a distinct "tooth" that they use for breaking their prey's necks. I can't really see it here but then it may have been lost due to damage.

Assuming that it was never there (and assuming it's an adult) I would go for sparrowhawk. Otherwise its a kestrel or possibly a merlin.

 

[Pignut]

sparrowhawk!

interesting, never seen one in that area

 

[Ben_Hillwalker]

Sparrowhawks are quite secretive birds, but then suprise ambushes are their hunting technique.

Once you know what to look for you would be suprised how many are around. I see one from my office window about once a week.

 

[Pignut]

Thanks for that info!

Will keep my eyes peeled from now on!