canberrabirds

[canberrabirds] Why are the C. Sparrowhawk & B.Goshawk so similar?

To: "David Adams" <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Why are the C. Sparrowhawk & B.Goshawk so similar?
From: "Greg and Val Clancy" <>
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2013 10:01:47 +1100
My understanding is that the white morph of the Grey Goshawk was able to survive in a forest situation where it stands out like the proverbial because it resembles white coloured cockatoos. I don't know if there is any science behind that claim though.


Greg
Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide
PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
0266493153 0429601960

-----Original Message----- From: David Adams
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 9:26 AM
To: David Adams
Cc: COG line ; Birding-Aus
Subject: [canberrabirds] Why are the C. Sparrowhawk & B.Goshawk so similar?

An all white raptor in the forest?

John Leonard wrote to mention the White Hawk, an unusual New World forest
raptor:

http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=124796

Despite often being nearly all white, these birds seem to be doing pretty
well for themselves over a huge area. The behavior section at the Cornell
site is interesting. it sounds like these birds follow around parties
of monkeys (arboreal foragers) and coati (ground foragers - relatives
of Raccoons) pouncing on whatever prey is flushed. Perhaps their coloration
is not selected for/against as they're opportunistic feeders? No
idea...it's always easy to make up an evolutionary/ecological story...but
that doesn't make it true.
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