Collared Sparrowhawks anyone?

["Paul T." <>]

At 05:37 PM 14/08/2009, you wrote:
> 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 et al,

If it was a pigmentation deficiency, would the effect be perfectly
symmetrical?  If you look at the white feathers (or part feathers)
on either wing they match absolutely perfectly (allowing for one white
patch which looks like it could be covered by a brown feather on the
other wing?).  Unless all these feathers grew at the same time (and
coincided with a deficiency or something that can cause feather
bleaching) would they be perfectly mirrored like this?  What are the
odds of all those feathers being replaced at exactly the same rate? 
Is it possibly just a genetic "colour form" unique to this
bird?

Fascinating picture, that is for sure.

Cheers.

Paul T.
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