Against a bright sky it looks right for an adult grey morph GG, it shows grey on wing tips, wing trailing edge and tail (which should be the whitest parts for
a white morph) and the breast and around the top of the head. So not the white morph, assuming the photo is not misreading the light. In that situation a white one should look pure white, In combination with the 4? recent sightings of a white one that is notable.
That is why I asked Daniel the question, Both forms do occur in Canberra.
From: Steve Read [
Sent: Sunday, 19 April, 2020 10:19 PM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc: Daniel Montes;
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Unidentified Raptor
Your email didn’t make it through to me, Phillip, but glad we basically agree. Looks a bit pale for a grey morph?
On Sun, 19 Apr 2020 at 10:15 pm, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
Steve,
Did you miss my response?
Sun 19-Apr-20 4:43 PM
Hi Daniel,
That is an interesting one and good to get a photo. And none too common. I believe it is a grey morph
Grey Goshawk. Doesn’t really fit anything else. Its shape rules out anything else that would be so pale. Interesting because of the white ones around. Unless it is a white morph Grey Goshawk that by some aspect of lighting, looks a little darker on the wing
tips. As you were there, was it pure white or partly grey, like it appears to be?
Philip
Philip
From: Steve
Read [
Sent: Sunday, 19 April, 2020 8:31 PM
To: 'Daniel Montes';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Unidentified Raptor
Hi David
In the absence of any other suggestions sent to the chatline, might I venture that since the shape of your raptor resembles that of a goshawk (broad wings, small head, rounded tail),
and the colour really is too pale for a Brown Goshawk, that only leaves white-morph Grey Goshawk. I have seen that species soar at times.
What do others think?
Regards
Steve
From: Daniel Montes <>
Sent: Sunday, 19 April 2020 4:20 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Unidentified Raptor
Yesterday I went to Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
I came since I wanted to see what Kellys Swamp looked like since the last time I came here which was December it was drought.
I was surprised to see the Swamp covered in weeds instead of water which I thought it would be.
The main reason why I'm writing this is because I saw a raptor high up in the sky where there were Swallows mobbing it or staying away from it.
I couldn't ID the bird, so I'm asking if anyone may know what it is.
Here are the links to the photos:
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