Bird ID help please

[Sniper]

I caught a couple of quick snaps of this handsome chap in my back garden and ain't sure what it is, my first instict is a Peregrine but given my location that's doubtful.
I estimate his height at about 7-9 inches high or 16-20 cms in new money. What do you guys who know much more about these things than me reckon.
Sharp almost sickle like wings in flight but folds into a "V" shape at times and flies very very fast and the agility is amazing. Anybody?
Please excuse the poor photo quality as they were taken in a real hurry and a bit shaky with hand held and no rest with a large zoom lens.

Oh no it won't let me attach pics, it says I cannot add attachments, what the hell is wrong?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Pics would help but at 9 ins. tall, it ain't a bird of prey

 

[Sniper]

It's definately a bird of prey alright, large hooked yellow beak an a vicious set of talons on yellow legs. Dark brown wings with a white or cream coloured front with small brown bar shaped speckles. Large yellow forward facing eyes.

 

[marcusleftthesite]

Hobby or Merlin ?

 

[nuggets]

probably a kestrel or sparrow hawk ( juvenile maybe)?? Need to see a picture to give you a better guess !!

 

[blacktimberwolf]

They both have speckled breast plumage......it certainly sounds falcon like

 

[Shewie]

Could it have been a young Peregrine ?

Third piccy down ...

http://www.ophrysphotography.co.uk/slideshows/peregrine/

 

[Sniper]

Nice link thanks Shewie, certainly looks like a Peregrine to me comparing those pictures. I've asked Barn Owl to post the photos up for me so hopefully when he does so you'll be able to see them. Can't understand why I can't upload them.

 

[Shewie]

Nice link thanks Shewie, certainly looks like a Peregrine to me comparing those pictures. I've asked Barn Owl to post the photos up for me so hopefully when he does so you'll be able to see them. Can't understand why I can't upload them.

Email the pics to me if you want mate and I'll stick them up for you

 

[Bigfoot]

Pergrines are a tad larger, no? From the first description I would echo Nugget's suggestion of Kestrel or Sparrowhawk.

 

[Sniper]

I'm only guessing at the size it may have been a bit bigger.

 

[Sniper]

Email with pics on the way Rich

 

[Barn Owl]

Sparrowhawk John.

I cannae post them mate, sorry.

 

[Shewie]

Sniper's photos ....

I'm not sure about Peregrine now, it looks more Sparrowhawk with that plumage

 

[Barn Owl]

Hobby is a very infrequent visitor to Scotland.

Merlin will still be on the high ground likely but will be starting to come down lower.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

A juvinile female sparrowhawk...& nearer 14 inches than 9

 

[nuggets]

its a beauty !! good photies ??

 

[Sniper]

Ok thanks fellas Sparrowhawk it is then. This is'nt the kind of area I would expect to see a peregrine, no high cliffs unless you count a couple of high rise blocks of flats. That's why I've been flummocksed, there is even a write up in the local paper about it and they suggested a peregrine. Now I can set them straight. My thanks to all and especially Shewie, cheers mate.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Could have been a peregrine, some have moved into towns & even cities,including London http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Peregrine_Falcon#p00bjjsh.... using high buildings for nesting & pigeons for food.......

 

[morch]

I'd say Sparrowhawk but I'm no expert. Great pics John, cheers bud

Dave