Sparrowhawk or Goshawk?

["Philip Veerman" <>]

There are several ways to identify between these 2 species. On short views of just one bird, sometimes you don't get enough of a view to be sure. However if watching a pair likely breeding, size alone should be enough. One of the pair should be sort of S-c Cockatoo size (female goshawk) or one of the pair should be sort of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike size (male sparrowhawk). Goshawks normally build a nest in a eucalypt. Sparrowhawks tend to use more densely foliaged trees. Some Goshawks defend nest sites against people. I don't know if Sparrowhawks do.

 

Philip

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Marion Jones [
Sent: Saturday, 6 December 2014 9:28 AM
To: Stephanie Haygarth
Cc: COG List
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Sparrowhawk or Goshawk?

I have been watching a pair of Collared Sparrowhawks in behind the middle dam behind Deakin for the last few days.  The female gets very stroppy every time I appear and comes very close to clouting me on the head, so I'm assuming there is a nest nearby, which I am yet to find.  Although I've seen the odd CS in this area, I've never previously seen a pair nor any sign of breeding activity.

Cheers

Marion J

On 3 November 2014 at 14:24, Stephanie Haygarth <> wrote:

Matthew Higgins here.  Saw this bird just now on western side of Mt Ainslie (and heard its mate).  Steph and I are tending toward collared sparrowhawk, rather than goshawk.  What do people think?

Cheers
Matthew

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