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What is this raptor?

11 years ago

I took a photo of a building in New York City, and found this bird scene in it later. It looks like a raptor hitting another bird. Can anyone give me any suggestions on what might be taking place here? It's near Central Park, where hawks live. Many thanks for your help.

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Comments (6)

John301
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is the photo from which the detail was taken.
catherinet
11 years ago
It's really hard to see. Almost looks like 2 birds. I wonder if Peregrin falcons attack mourning doves? That would be my very uneducated guess. Almost looks like 2 birds, but I'm really not sure what they are.
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When I saw your post, my frist thought was we don't have ospreys in Iowa....they live near the ocean or a bay. Then I googled ospreys in Iowa....found there has been a program to re introduce them into suitable habitats and even if there seem to be no nesting pairs, they still are "passing through". I believe you are right...that it was an ospry...narrower wings than an eagle and the striping on the back and underside of the wings. But it sure was white....no hint of dark until it bent it's head down and preened and when it flew. Thanks...I am blown away by the thought of an ospry in my back yard!!!! I used to see them as a kid at the Jersey shore, nesting on about every 5th telephone pole.....but not in years and years! Damn that DDT!!! Linda C
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You had it right the first time! It is an Osprey. The facial markings are unique to this species. A White-tailed Kite is significantly smaller than an Osprey (15 in versus 23 in) and, whereas it has black around its eyes, does not have this heavy dark line over the eye and down the neck (as the Osprey has). Also, that long neck is Osprey (WTKI has a short stubby neck). The all dark wings leading down to a dark tail also differ from the WTKI. And look at the size of that bill! That is for eating fish (and the WTKI has a smaller hooked bill for insects and small mammals). I also see the Osprey's characteristic yellow iris here (WTKI has red). The slight markings on the chest of this Osprey indicate it may be a juvenile. That may be what looked different about it. Glad to have a raptor question to answer! It's been slow around here!
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Comments (2)
I know the pics don't give any idea as to size, but I appeared to be a good bit smalle than the red tails I've seen soaring, and didn't seem to glide or soar the same as the red tails do, if that makes sense, I was wondering if it could be a Mississippi kite? Also, there were three of them soaring around together,idk if that is helpful. I do see lots of red tails, their is a nesting pair Near my neighborhood and I see them both all the time, they are city hawks, lol, very well could be a red tail! Thanks
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tmff
11 years ago
I am not sure but these look like two birds of the same size. They appear to both be pigeons (pale underwings with dark outlines). This would be a common find in NYC. As for the likely raptor to take a pigeon midair- that would be a Peregrine Falcon. Neither of the birds in the photo are big enough to be a Peregrine. Looks like some pigeon dispute of sorts.
John301
Original Author
11 years ago
Many thanks for your help, TMFF and catherinet. It's in NYC, so a "pigeon dispute of sorts" makes a lot of sense - both people and birds in NYC can be somewhat argumentative at times! :)
bob17257
11 years ago
John - Tell us more about that building. Thanks.
John301
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi, Bob: That building is the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Columbus Circle (corner of Broadway, 8th Avenue/Central Park West and West 59th Street), across the street from the Time Warner Building. It used to be the headquarter building for Gulf and Western before Donald Trump bought it and totally refurbished it.

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