Bird IDs Please!

[ccromar10]

Hi folks can you please help with these two. Think the second is crossbill, not sure about first. It was about the size of a pigeon or crow, swooped around the trees about 10 feet off ground then dropped down, presumably onto prey. Sorry about quality of pics!

Thanks

[CharlesT]

Second pic I'm sure is a male Crossbill. First is a bit blurry but I'd say most likely a Nightjar, probably female. I'm assuming its bill is as short as it appears in the pics and not a longer bill not visible through the blur. Also the general colouration and the white cheek patch and posture looks Nightjar like.

[bdearg]

cuckoo, we thinks. when and where? crossbill... : yes

[CharlesT]

cuckoo, we thinks. when and where? crossbill... : yes

Think you may be right. That was my other option. Closer look at the pic shows there may be a yellow foot just visible, which would be Cuckoo(male) not Nightjar. But where's the long tail?

[Caberfeidh]

But where's the long tail?

In the pine marten's mouth....

[ccromar10]

Thanks guys.
Both pics were taken the same night about 1/4 a mile apart, so quite a lucky evening for us. We were just on a dog walk not far from home through pine woods near Banchory in the north east, but I always take the camera incase we spot anything. Its sometimes difficult to get close enough for a clear pic though!
As for the cuckoo, the bill was that short and going by your second comment charles this seems most likely to me.
Thanks again

[CharlesT]

Thanks guys.
Both pics were taken the same night about 1/4 a mile apart, so quite a lucky evening for us. We were just on a dog walk not far from home through pine woods near Banchory in the north east, but I always take the camera incase we spot anything. Its sometimes difficult to get close enough for a clear pic though!
As for the cuckoo, the bill was that short and going by your second comment charles this seems most likely to me.
Thanks again

Well, always wary on these, but given what you say about the bill, the general colouration of the subject and its characteristic nightjar posture along a branch, I'm going to revert to my Nightjar id. The time of sighting, evening, also fits.

Come in David Main and tell me I'm wrong, again!

[Mike Reynolds]

I would suggest a young cuckoo. I think there is too much white on the breast for a nightjar and I can almost see a long tail below the branch? It would depend on when the picture was taken.

[CharlesT]

I would suggest a young cuckoo. I think there is too much white on the breast for a nightjar and I can almost see a long tail below the branch? It would depend on when the picture was taken.

You may well be right. Uncharacteristic dithering from me here, back on the fence then - it's a nightjar/cuckoo - how's that?

[stirlingdavo]

Thanks guys.
Both pics were taken the same night about 1/4 a mile apart, so quite a lucky evening for us. We were just on a dog walk not far from home through pine woods near Banchory in the north east, but I always take the camera incase we spot anything. Its sometimes difficult to get close enough for a clear pic though!
As for the cuckoo, the bill was that short and going by your second comment charles this seems most likely to me.
Thanks again

I'd say its most likely a young cuckoo, Nightjars are a pretty uncommon find in Aberdeenshire.

[PerthAlly]

Cuckoo and Crossbill

[Alteknacker]

Nightoo? Cuckjar??

[David-Main]

Hi guys, I am going to say something different, WRYNECK.
The reason i say that , there has been a big migration of them all over the UK lately.
But I'm not 100%

[CharlesT]

Hi guys, I am going to say something different, WRYNECK.
The reason i say that , there has been a big migration of them all over the UK lately.
But I'm not 100%

Interesting. The more I look at the photo the less it looks like a cuckoo to me - wrong posture, wrong tail. But a Wryneck is roughly half the size of a Nightjar and has a darker breast and a striped head pattern. I'm leaning back towards Nightjar and a male which has a slightly lighter breast and more pronounced wing barring to the female. Quite preoared to be shot diwn in flames - wont be the first time.

[PerthAlly]

Aren't nightjars well camouflaged?

Plus they're active at dusk. Photo looks like broad daylight.

It's a cuckoo.........maybe!