Hi all. Just signed up - looking forward to sharing some birding stories. But for the moment, wondering if anyone can confirm if this is a Red Goshawk (or 'just' a square tailled kite or harrier). Saw it on the eastern edge of Conondale NP last winter. Too far off to get good shot unfortunately. But the rusty body, yellow legs, non square tail etc look interesting to me. First shot was June 6 (fanned tail - but no clear yellow legs? and other two were next morning same place - yellow legs). I think Red Goshawk - but are they so rare that that would be unlikely?
I think that's a Brown Falcon, but I am far from an expert so I am probably wrong :)
Tegan - Melbourne Vic.
pic 1 brown falc
2-3 swamp harrier
Actually, it is possible they are two different birds. The first one was taken a day before the other two. But if they are the same bird (and i think they are) then I'd be confident they arent Brown Falcon. The rusty section is quite pronounced, and the legs are definitely yellow for the bottom two shots. :) But I too am far from an expert!
Ah yes, quite possible the first is Brown Falcon and the second lot are Swamp Harriers.