Yes, it’s fairly common in owls and raptors, and also a pose favoured by artists. I’ve flicked through a collection of raptor paintings by Joseph Wolf and
in 17 of 60 a bird has a foot raised. In many other than the 17 both feet are not visible or the bird is in action. Unlike gulls, waders etc that typically sleep/rest with a foot raised, accipiters sufficiently balanced to raise a foot are sometimes alert
or agitated.
From: Duncan McCaskill [m("gmail.com","duncan.mccaskill");">]
Sent: Sunday, 21 January 2018 5:02 PM
To: David Rees
Cc: m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">
<>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] More Brown Goshawk @ mulligans (film)
A lot of birds seem to like to stand on one leg, including hawks.
Three of these are Collared Sparrowhawks, the one in bottom right corner is a Brown Goshawk. I think standing on one leg is something they like to do when resting in one spot.
On 21 January 2018 at 13:01, David Rees <> wrote:
Here we see two female 'teenagers' hanging about. One is trying to perch with one foot (something I cannot say I've seen a hawk do before) high up in a tree on a windy day- as it tries to maintain its raptor 'dignity' - with difficulty.....,
its sibling has a better idea.
Fimed 20+ metres up in a big tree in Mulligans a few days ago.
