Was only able to get this through a dusty window so it's not very clear. Not sure if it's a goshawk or sparrowhawk. What do you think?
I got quite a surprise when I saw it on the washing line. Think it was watching the small wrens and firetails playing under the lilypilly.
I dont know but he looks very focused
Looks like a Juvenile Brown Goshawk, could be wrong see what others say.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
How cool to have a BoP on your clothesline!
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Based on the lack of yellow at the base of the upper bill, I'd say that's a juvenile brown goshawk, kathie. However, my diagnosis might be baseless so I'm happy for someone to suggest something different.
Yes, it was cool to see it on the washing line yesterday. Wish it would come back so I can get better shots
Funny thing, was walking through the garden centre at Bunnings today and there were about 16 statues of these birds on the floor for sale titled 'bird scarer'. lol. I don't need one, got the real thing!
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Wow Kathie, what a find. I can only see one leg, it did have two??
BTW, this is a great shot.
M-L
Yes, I believe it had two legs. It flew off almost as soon as it saw me in the window - my bedroom window. I tried to get shots of it from the kitchen window but the flyscreen didn't make for very good pics.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
You can now call it a brown goshawk screen, kathie.
Great photo for ID, lets say a 2nd /3rd year male Brown Goshawk, if we look at the legs they are thicker at the base. As with the collared sparrow hawk has thinner looking legs. ( longer middle toe as well )
Eyes are more flat at the top to give that scowl look. As with CSH has a more of a round look.
Just remember the female CSH is the same size as the male BGH and that also what make it so hard to ID
Any way great photo Katie, keep a look out, it will be back!
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Thanks everyone. Very exciting to see it and will be watching for it again.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
darinnightowl said "2nd /3rd year male Brown Goshawk".
In my opinion, it's a 1st year juvenile. Among other reasons, I don't think an older bird would have such extensive pale fringing on the wing coverts. I find it difficult to judge size from a photo without a good size reference, so I wouldn't want to say male or female.
Steve
Hi Steve
More than happy to be wrong and I am never too old to learn .
1st year goshawk has a brown iris . But the wings are a bit light as you said to be a 3 year old . I agree photos are always hard to size a bird but it's on a clothes line and I just picture a magpie perched there, and a female goshawk is bigger in size. How about we meet half way and call it a second year. Ha ha ha!
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Re iris colour: HANZAB says for juvenile:- 'Iris brown at fledging, becoming cream to pale yellow shortly afterwards with some brown flecks; some adult attain adult colour (usually yellow) by May, but others have paler-yellow iris until at least Aug.'
So I'm sticking with 1st year bird.
Thanks everyone for the discussion. A bit hard to have something there to measure the size
but at least I know it's a Goshawk. That's a start.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria