Collared Sparrowhawks anyone?

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Yes. On the basis of the tail shape is really obvious. It also shows big white spots. Is that a recent thing? I commented several weeks back that these are likely to be pale feather bases made visible during moulting. However this and a few other recent local photos suggest I was wrong in that. Are we getting a plumage pigmentation deficiency?

 

 

Philip Veerman

24 Castley Circuit

Kambah  ACT  2902

 

02 - 62314041

-----Original Message-----
From: Bron King [
Sent: Friday, 14 August 2009 11:52 AM
To: John Layton; Canberrabirds
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] CollaredSparrowhawks anyone?

Yesterday I was sent
a photo for ID by a friend who's garden is off Crisp St Bruce, of what I took to
be a Collared Sparrowhawk
but I'm happy to be corrected. Here in middle Melba
we had several sightings last summer but none during winter. This could be
explained by 
our more indoor existence though.
Bron King





At 09:08 AM 8/14/2009, John Layton wrote:
> Has anyone seen Collared
>   Sparrowhawks round the Canberra burbs of late? Used to see them a couple of
>   times a year in the Holt yard and was always amazed by how trusting these
>   little hunters were, tolerated a really close approach. Often perched very
>   close to houses too. But alas, nary a one for about three
>   years.
>  
> And last year no Silvereyes came by, but happily,
>   yesterday morning there was a group of ~ 6 gleaning among almond blossoms.
>   Used to be some interest/excitement when we identified the southern Victorian
>   and Tasmanian race, but the ones seen this morning were Canberra birds. I know
>   because one mentioned they were having a flex day. The flowering plums outside
>   my bedroom window are about to burst into blossom. These are usually a big
>   Silvereye drop-in centre, and I can lie in bed and watch them. See Big Mal got
>   it wrong, life was meant to be easy.
>  
> John
> Layton.
>