Who's chasting who?

[Jacqueline Burrell]

1. Because of their position in relationship to the sinking sun, this is the only pic. It was taken in Luxor the day before yesterday.

2. Am I right in guessing that this is a Marsh Harrier and that 3. is a Pallid Harrier? Again, taken in Luxor with no better shots.

Jacqueline

[Olvedi Szilard]

On picture nr. 1 there is a Yellow Billed Kite, the 2nd picture is of a Marsh Harrier (adult female) just like you said it.
The bird on the 3rd picture doesn't look like a Pallid Harrier to me. It's more like a Black shouldered Kite.

Regards,
Szilard

[Colin Key]

Yes, #3 is a Black-*winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus).

*The recent common name change from Black-shouldered to Black-winged Kite was one of the most reasonless nomenclature changes ever made and totally unnecessary. We know that birds do not have "shoulders" physiologically speaking, but this species does not have black wings either.

Colin