Looking out from an upstairs window at about 10.15 this morning, a bird
about Spotted Dove-size flew through our neighbour's backyard, then
turned sharply and alighted on a branch which gives a good view of the
chook-house. An Accipiter! Very slim, quite small, rounded head with
staring eyes, long thin yellow legs - Collared Sparrow-hawk!
Neither binocs nor camera within reach, but the markings showed it was a
young bird, I think a male - fine bars on upper breast, splashy dark
streaks on lower breast and belly. It stood on both legs - I saw the
long middle toe on the right foot spread over the branch. It looked all
round, then raised its right foot and perched one-legged, apparently
looking at me - it was roughly 8 or 9 metres away, and at the same
level, about 4.5 or 5 metres above ground - then took off and swept away
over our roof.
An unexpected visit though they have been present in the district for
many years.
Anthea Fleming
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