About a month ago I had an adult Collared Sparrowhawk in my garden with the remains of a Red Wattlebird. This morning an immature hawk which I think was another Collared Sparrowhawk: I got a quick look at it before a pedestrian scared it off into neighbours garden: it was darkish brown on back with white flecks through the plumage, dark continuing up the nape (no collar), brown and white markings on breast but not as distinct as the field guides seem to show for a Brown Goshawk, light brown feathers over the eyes, pale bill. Like the adult it was eating the prey on the ground. Prey had light grey feathers and black wing or tail feathers, pretty large feet. Suspect it might have been a pigeon (there are crested and turtle doves around). Bird harassed by Currawongs.
Dr Coral Dow
Senior Researcher, Social Policy Section
Research Branch
Parliamentary Library, Department of Parliamentary Services
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Ph: 02 6277 2709
Fax: 02 6277 2498
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