C. Sparrowhawk or B. Goshawk

Hello from Finland,

I casually photographed this bird on August 25th, 2012, in Sydney. The bird was then soaring high above Centennial Park and our initial thoughts were: a Collared Sparrowhawk. I think we never took a very long look at the bird, as we didn’t have a scope, but our instinctive ID was based on the jizz.

As my personal experience ranges only to European Accipiter species, I do know the difference in the jizz between the local Sparrowhawk and Goshawk. But when it comes to the Australian species, I think that the jizz might be a little different? But is it?

In the photos, the bird seems to be a bit more stocky than to what I am used to in Sparrowhawks, but on the other hand, I remember that the flight seemed more Sparrowhawk-ish. And is that hooded “look” usual to the species (whichever it is)?

Could some of you verify that this was indeed a Collared Sparrowhawk or that we were wrong and it is a Brown Goshawk instead?

Best three of the photos that were taken of the bird (they’re a bit small, as the bird was very high): http://www.harrynystrom.net/images/accipiter_sp20120825-02m.jpg http://www.harrynystrom.net/images/accipiter_sp20120825-16m.jpg http://www.harrynystrom.net/images/accipiter_sp20120825-17m.jpg

By the way, we positively identified a couple of Collared Sparrowhawks during our trip, but I am still missing the Brown Goshawk -tick altogether.

Cheers, -Harry ===============================

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