Tuesday, 17 March 2015

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - BIrd of Prey on St Partrick's Day

I couldn’t let St Patrick’s Day go by without wishing all bloggers an IRISH BLESSING (and joke at the end of this post) as well as asking for help
to ID this bird of prey on the VIDEO below. 
 Never let it be said that the Irish aren't multi talented!! 



I thought this bird of prey (photographed in Malawi), could be a Fish Eagle or Osprey as it was catching fish however I have never seen either with this plumage but many of you are used to seeing Osprey and might be able to know whether that is a possible ID for this bird.  Another alternative is a Red Kite which I have just learned can catch fish.  To me it looks more like that.   Watch video at the end please.  I now have the correct answer at the end of post.










CLICK  HERE if the video does not appear below.  You will see that this bird does catch a fish.



Derek, a birding friend of mine here in Northern ireland has ID'ed this bird for me.  Many thanks Derek.   He, like me has been to Malawi.  

                              It is a Yellow - billed Kite.

Now for the joke.  You have to put on your best Irish accent to read it!

Pat and Jimmy-Joe met and one said to the other,
'Have ye seen Mulligan lately,Pat?'
Pat said, 'Well, I have and I haven't.'
His friend asked, 'Shure, and what d'ye mean by that?'

Pat said, 'It's like this, y'see...I saw a chap who I thought was Mulligan, and he saw a chap that he thought was me. And when we got up to one another...it was neither of us.'

Thank you for visiting on St Patrick's Day and I hope you enjoyed the post.

I am linking it with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Many thanks to all who leave comments especially today to those who have a little bit of Irish blood in them!

30 comments:

  1. I saw the fish that it caught! Nice video! Smooth shots which I always like.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  2. Hi Margaret Great post, video and joke ! Thanks for the blessing! I thought the bird resembles a kite but Grant reckons it's an Osprey. Do you have other peoples' input yet? Jo

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    1. Hi Jo No one else has offered an ID as yet but , like you think it looks like a Kite but I didn't think Kite caught fish bit have since learned they can and do, so perhaps that is what it is. I do hope someone with more knowledge of birds of preys lets us know. Thanks for ecard.

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  3. Most likely to be an adult BLACK Kite. Reds are mainly confined to the Sahara northwards.

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    1. HI Lew Ah a Black Kite. Many thanks for your input in suggesting this ID. I will now look up about Black Kites.

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  4. Can
    t help with the raptor but enjoyed the blessing, video and joke! Happy St Pats to you!

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    1. HI Kenneth I assume as you knew and see Ospreys often and in all kinds of plumage, it is NOT an Osprey?

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  5. Loved the blessing, Margaret. WOW, he is such an impressive bird! You know I don't have a clue what he is, but I do admire his beauty and skill! blessings ~ tanna

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  6. Happy St Patrick's day Margaret, a grand joke that had me smiling. Was thinking kite from the 1st image alone glad someone got the id for you. Very clever bird too

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  7. I had a good chuckle from your joke. Happy St. Pat's to you too.

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  8. I enjoyed both the Irish blessing and the joke! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  9. happy st. pats day....these flight images are just amazing!!!!

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  10. Blessings to you, Margaret. Great capture of the fisher bird!

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  11. Great picture of the Kite, Margaret.. I think it's a Kite since they do catch fish!!!! Beautiful bird.

    Happy St. Patrick's Day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. Happy St Patrick Day Margaret!:) Good captures of the Yellow-billed Kite. I enjoyed your Irish Joke. :)

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  13. Another first for me and I assume for you. What an awesome bird. I have a penchant for raptors, as you know and I have never seen any of the Kites ... hope someday that I do. I do appreciate seeing this one through your eyes and camera though ... Thank you, Margaret ... a real treat.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  14. Ha ha ha to the joke, and the video, so it happens, a Red Kite catching a fish, no not ever????????????????????????????

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  15. Wonderful images... I hope you have had a fantastic day Margaret xxxx

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  16. Happy St Patrick Day Margaret. I'm pleased to see you've sorted the ID.

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  17. The kite in flight is a lovely sight!

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  18. HApply st Patrick day Margaret and thank you for the blessing, the joke, and most of all for the beautiful flight shots of the kite! Lovely!

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  19. Happy St. Partick's Day, Margaret. The photos are beautiful, as usual.
    Have a Beautiful Day!
    Peace :)

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  20. Excellent photos of this majestic bird!
    Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well with Irish Blessings!

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  21. Glad you got your mystery bird identified. The coloring was too dark for an Osprey, they have more distinct white markings and mostly white underneath. Thanks for the Irish Blessing and joke. :)

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  22. Wow! What a bird to see and photograph. Belated Happy St Patricks Day Margaret.

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  23. Fantastic photos and video of the yellow-billed kite! Wow! And I loved the Irish blessing and joke! Have a great week!

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  24. Kites are beautiful birds. Nice catch!

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