Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

can anyone help identify this bird.

About the size of a pigeon, upper body chestnut with mottles
black and white tail and wing tips
small hooked beak, poss yellow
sat on top of tall bare tree in wooded area

Fieldfare?

no, the beak is wrong and so are the colours. I feel it is a mamber of the birds of prey family but dont know which one. Thanks for trying to help me.

Have a look on RSPB.co.uk website.

thanks will do

Hooked beak would indicate a bird of prey, of which we have several species resident and other migratory species

I think it could have been a sparrow hawk, the fale is pigeon sized or a goshawk lager but the male is smaller than the female.
both have long legs, short wings , long tails and a light braest with barred plumage. Colour can varie depening on race.

Some other birds of prey, smaller species

Kestrel
Hobby
Elanora's falcon
Sootie falcon
Peregrine falcon
Lanner falcon
Red footed Falcon
Luggar falcon

Larger
Buzzard
Honey buzzard
rough legged buzzard
Marsh harrier
pallied harrier
Bonelli's Eagle

There is also another species the Shrikes which are smaller than a pigeon, they feed on insects /small reptiles / young birds
.

Sounds like it could be a kestrel which are very common on Cyprus - did you see it in Cyprus or elsewhere. Google 'kestrel images' for pictures.

Kestrels are rusty brown not chestnut.

It is the most common falcon here.

thanks to all, I dont think it is a kestral but it may be a sparrow hawk, I have been told there is one around here (Lapta)

Sounds a bit like a Hoopoe??

Hoopoe's beaks are curved not hooked but again it is a possible, colour is more of an orangy / coral not chestnut.
The wings fit the bill! Hehe.

I did say "a bit" !