Looking for some answers/suggestions

[Bobbie Ireland]

This photo was taken by a friend in Ireland, and there has been a discussion today on FB re whether it has a transmitter. First comments said they thought it had been caught in something, but when I saw it, it reminded me of the way Quest (?right) looked with the transmitter. BirdWatch Ireland does not know of any Kestrel tracking being done in either Ireland or the UK, but we are still wondering. What does anyone think? Very grateful for any ideas, which I will pass to Linda Foley et al.

[carly]

Looks a bit low for a transmitter but I'm no expert.  I copied it to desktop and blew it up as big as I could...very blurry but looks more like something stuck to it's bottom tail feathers.  Unless he was fitted with a transmitter and it's slipping off? 

[Donna]

Looks like it's not in the right spot for a transmitter Bobbie...I blew it up a bit and I don't think so. Hopes it's nothing bad that will hurt the Kestrel. Thanks for posting.

Oh Carly said too....I'm with her, no expert!

[Bobbie Ireland]

Does anyone have a pic of Quest with the transmitter? I could then post on FB for people to see how they should look. Ta!

Thanks to Donna and Carly for their ideas... any others???

[MAK]

I don't think it's a transmitter either tho I have no other explanation.

[Donna]

Here's one Bobbie

and another

[Bobbie Ireland]

Here's one Bobbie

thanks for that, Donna! Will pass along... whom do I credit, tho??

[Donna]

Here's one Bobbie

thanks for that, Donna! Will pass along... whom do I credit, tho??

The 1st pic, Harlie Cam the second, Vernon Laux in Maine, I believe

[Bobbie Ireland]

Thanks again, Donna. That second one really shows the aerial. Will credit!

[BIGFRANK]

Hi..its likely tethers/a leash used in falconry and the bird has escaped from a falconer. They are leather. They can be chewed off eventually. There would be some danger of it getting snagged on something if thats what it is. Some birds adapt and ball it up and carry it. Hopefully if it is an escaped bird,someone is able to catch it and take appropriate actions.

[Bobbie Ireland]

BF, that is quite an interesting observation. I am passing it on and will get back to you and the others re what people here think. Thanks, all!

Slainte!

 

[Donna]

Hi..its likely tethers/a leash used in falconry and the bird has escaped from a falconer. They are leather. They can be chewed off eventually. There would be some danger of it getting snagged on something if thats what it is. Some birds adapt and ball it up and carry it. Hopefully if it is an escaped bird,someone is able to catch it and take appropriate actions.

Smart fella! Never thought of that!! 

[BIGFRANK]

Ive seen escaped birds before with something similar trailing them. It looks like right length and thickness. Also if they have original or other pics look for equipment around the ankles of the bird or in its feet.

[Carol P.]

Yeah, I have to agree, not a transmitter.  Too low on the bird and too long. 

[Dumpsterkitty]

Yeah, I have to agree, not a transmitter.  Too low on the bird and too long.  

Well, I agree about this particular bird...it does look like a falconers jess & tether.  But just for the record I do recall seeing a transmitter sort of like this.  I'm thinking bald eagle/hack release/maybe west coast...anyway, it was an antenna attached to the leg.  Maybe the kind you need to read with an antenna on the ground.

(edit) It was on a much larger bird than this...