Yes that too. I would add, that to say “and the species should not be
moulting at this time” is correct, but it is not something that is as easy for everyone to know, even if Mark would know. What is easier to tell just from the photo, that
gives the same result, is that the main wing feathers do not show signs of moult (maybe one feather missing), therefore it is reasonable to assume that the tail is also not in moult (as it does not appear to be anyway). I decided not to mention that. Thus
the rounded tail shape showing in the photo is real........... But all that is something of stating the obvious on this photo........ Even though I don’t know why we can see the whole of the central tail feathers (should not be visible from below).
Philip
From: Mark Clayton [
Sent: Friday, 8 September, 2017 3:38 PM To: 'Julie Clark'; 'COG Chatline'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] ID Help Please
Hi Julie,
Goshawks have a rounded tail whereas sparrowhawks have a square to slightly forked tail. Be aware this can be tricky if the bird is in tail moult but as this
bird has a rounded tail, and the species should not be moulting at this time, it is a Brown Goshawk
Cheers,
Mark
Julie,
You are right. (apart from the “probably a Collared Sparrowhawk”
comment – it isn’t). Indeed it is a photo that shows most Brown Goshawk ID features.
In order, 1 clearly rounded tip of tail, 2 you can even see that the toes are similar length (middle toe is not a lot longer), 3 a heavy build (big body), 4
the beak is big relative to head (CS beak is smaller), 5 trailing edge of wing is less curved than in CS, 6 true the photo does not show the brow ridge or maybe it does but the rest is more than enough to be sure.
Philip
From: Julie Clark [
Sent: Friday, 8 September 2017 2:18 PM
To: COG Chatline Subject: [canberrabirds] ID Help Please
I took this photo at Mulligan's this morning and would appreciate an ID confirmation (or other) please?
The photo is heavily cropped and there's not much real detail - my attempt at ID is a Brown Goshawk, but I'm not at all confident. (probably a Collared Sparrowhawk....) I've looked
at the tail, toes and brow etc, but it didn't help me much.
