Raptor in Richardson Goshawk I think

[Duncan McCaskill <>]

It is a Collared Sparrowhawk.

It can be very hard to tell the Brown Goshawk and the Collared Sparrowhawk apart because their plumage is so alike.

Your photo captures one of the distinguishing features of the Collared Sparrowhawk - its particularly long middle toe.

The other distinguishing feature, more useful when seen in flight, is the Brown Goshawks have a somewhat rounded tail, Sparrowhawks squared off. Damaged feathers and the way the bird holds its tail can make this feature hard to pick.

Collared Sparrowhawks are smaller than Brown Goshawks, but both species have strong sexual dimorphism. Male Collared Sparrowhawks are about Wattlebird size, female Brown Goshawks are about Currawong size, and Female Sparrowhawks and Male Goshawks are about Magpie size.

Collared Sparrowhawks are probably the most garden adapted raptor. In the 2011/12 Garden Bird Survey they were recorded in 27% of non-rural sites.

Duncan.

On 5 June 2013 16:40, kym bradley <> wrote:

HI All

Just walked out the back and noticed this chap on the wire, ran in grabbed the camera NO card raced in grabbed one , lucky still there, no time for settings just rattled off 

This is in the middle of Richardson so shocked to see it there  in the built up area 

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag39/birdsofseaustralia/rap_zpsf0c25473.jpg