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More Goshawk vs Sparrowhawk

To: "Greg & Val Clancy" <>, "Chris Ross" <>,<>
Subject: More Goshawk vs Sparrowhawk
From: Stephen Debus <>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:43:10 +1100
Hi Greg,

I agree, definitely Sparrowhawk for the reasons you give. The apparent middle toe length could be slightly foreshortened by the photo angle; the legs are very slender; the hawk is small against the honeyeater prey. We can't see the tail tip to judge relative lengths of central and outer rectrices (or the width of the rectrices); the feathers themselves would of course have rounded tips. If there was a prey transfer male to female, the accompanying vocalisations would have been diagnostic, as the male food-call (and female begging calls) of Brown Goshawk and Sparrowhawk are quite different.

I have often seen Goshawks and Sparrowhawks breeding in the same general area, and occasionally seen the two species interacting.

Cheers,

Steve




At 10:49 PM 8/12/11, Greg & Val Clancy wrote:
Hi Chris,

I am confident that it is an adult Collared Sparrowhawk because:

The eyebrow ridge is not conspicuous, the legs are very thin and the central toe is very long.

Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Wildlife Guide
Coutts Crossing
NSW





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