Impossible bird quiz

[johnalison]

If you've nothing better to do on a wet bank holiday you might like to identify the birds in photos that I have taken this year, mostly in the Baltic. Some of them are easy, some pretty hard and although one is almost impossible, it appears twice. None of the birds is completely unknown in the UK and I will be expecting the full two or three word name in most cases. Take care with No 11. 17 is following 18 around in the hope of a free meal. Good luck.

 

[ProDave]

I don't know many, but No 2 look like hooded crows. We get them in some parts of the UK.

 

[Hydrozoan]

Is 18 a shrike?

 

[johnalison]

Is 18 a shrike?

Possibly, but what sort?

 

[Hydrozoan]

Possibly, but what sort?

No idea - it's largely a silhouette to me and my shrike deduction was principally based on (i) head shape and (ii) your clue that it was being followed for a free meal. Anyway, perhaps I have left the hard part to someone more knowledgeable ...

 

[johnalison]

There's just enough in the photo for you to choose from red-backed and great grey.

 

[petedg]

My guesses would be:
2, Hooded Crow
3, Skylark
4, Swallow
6, Bluetit
9, Buzzard
10, Crow
13, Heron
15, Goldfinch

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I don't know what any of them are. I think I'm better at identifying islands.

 

[Davy_S]

1. Tern.
2.Hoodie.
3.Skylark.
4.Barn Swallow.
5. Graylag goose.
6.Swallow.
7 and 8. Pochard and little Grebe.
10. common Buzzard.
11, hard to tell, could be European Swift.
12. Heron.
all the others are too small for my screen!

 

[johnalison]

My guesses would be:
2, Hooded Crow
3, Skylark
4, Swallow
6, Bluetit
9, Buzzard
10, Crow
13, Heron
15, Goldfinch

2,3,4,10 right

 

[johnalison]

1. Tern.
2.Hoodie.
3.Skylark.
4.Barn Swallow.
5. Graylag goose.
6.Swallow.
7 and 8. Pochard and little Grebe.
10. common Buzzard.
11, hard to tell, could be European Swift.
12. Heron.
all the others are too small for my screen!

2,3,4,5 correct. others way wrong!

 

[ionbard]

1. fulmar

 

[Hydrozoan]

9 Golden eagle?

 

[johnalison]

No 1 Fulmar, of course.

Not golden eagle, though it might be hard to tell from the photo

 

[Lucky Duck]

Bottom left of 7 & 8 looks like a Tufted Duck

 

[Hydrozoan]

... Not golden eagle, though it might be hard to tell from the photo

"johnalison - Never Knowingly Understated"

If that's a crow near it at say 50cm length, the wingspan must be 1.5-2m. Greater spotted eagle?

 

[johnalison]

7 tufted duck, well done.

Eagle, certainly, and a big one at that. the national bird of Poland, which?

 

[Hydrozoan]

... Eagle, certainly, and a big one at that. the national bird of Poland, which?

White (tailed sea) eagle then? Wingspan ca. 2-2.5m? Impressive!

Is 11 perchance a skua of some sort - perhaps immature given your caveat?

 

[johnalison]

Yes. white-tailed. Incredible sight and dwarfed the hooded crow that was mobbing it.

No, not a skua. The type should be easy enough, but the species is unfamiliar to most of us.

 

[Lucky Duck]

14 could be an Eider Duck