Interesting indeed! A 1cy bird with pale eye in combination with diffuse tail and trailing edge to wing. A dark morph would have solved all the problems that are connected with separating ssp sanctijohannis from lagopus. The fact that it was seen in the Azores may be the only possible clue to it´s identity. If I remember correct another presumed sanctijohannis was seen in the Azores in Oct 2001 followed by one seen in Isles of Scilly the same month and year, earlier in the month on the Isles of Scilly I guess? In the Netfugl gallery there is a bird from the Faeroes Isalans which looks like a dark bird. Looking over possibilities for identification criterias (1cy in this case),offers no direct clues since varaiation is to be taken into account, most pale birds seems to be identical in this respect, at least on plumage features. This one is more or less identical to This one Another set A few more - mixed ages Just a few thoughs. JanJ

I see your point, Jan. The Corvo-bird does however strike me as a little dark for a european Rough-legged. It seems quite streaked on the upper neck and the dark belly extends almost to the head. I am not an expert on the sanctijohannis-subspecies, but these features are not commonly present in european Rough-leggeds. At least it might be an indication of it being a hawk rather than a buzzard? I am of course very uncertain and my mind is surely clouded by my very strong suspicions that Roughleggeds on the Azores aren't exactly unlikely to be sanctijohannis...

Sebastian, as mentioned, the fact that it was seen in the Azores could of course be a strong case for sanctijohannis. I was mearly consentrating on the possibilities for a positive identification, which seems to be very difficult indeed. I´m not aware of any study that presents such information. Something to dig into. JanJ

Lagopus Buzzard or Hawk on Azores ? ___________________________________ I tend to follow JAN and SEBASTIAN re less conspicuous dark hind wing-trail and more extended dark around head, than in most juv. European lagopus. Further, Eur. lagopus migrates South. It is scarce in the UK (Beaman et al.), wintering next to the North Sea, only (Malling Olsen map in 'Rovfugle'). Going further Southwest it is NOT recorded for Madeira and Canary Isl.s (Avibase). So, Presumably a sanctjohannis Hawk? PS: Stragglers may break patterns, like the Wrn Marsh Harrier recorded in Caribia. _______________________ DANSK Mørkt omkr. hovedet og mgl. mørk vingebagkant synes ikke så typisk for Europæisk juv. Fj.våge, jfr. JAN and SEBASTIAN ovf. Den trækker mod syd. Er fåtallig i UK og er ikke rapporteret fra Madeira el. Kan. Øer. Så formentlig nordamr. sanctijohannis lagopus (= Hawk)? PS: Strejfere kán gå mod strømmen, fx Rolfs Sortstr. Dr. i Skagen og DR d.d. - og 1 Rørhøg i Caribien f. et par år siden! Thanks to VINCENT for walk and photo, VH / KR ......... C.