Collared Sparrowhawk

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Woko
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Collared Sparrowhawk

It was nice to see this morning a Collared Sparrowhawk standing in one of our shallow bird baths, splashing a little water around. All other birds went deathly quiet until the Sparrowhawk took off when a cacophony of bird calls sounded the alarm.

Since this Collared Sparrowhawk (I assume it's the same one I've been seeing each time) has been regularly around the place I haven't seen any Brown Goshawks. A Brown Falcon is still observed quite frequently. Interesting.

sue818
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Interesting Woko, has it reduced the number of small birds that you normally see?

Woko
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An interesting question, Sue, particularly in the light of my pondering whether the presence of the Collared Sparrowhawk is due to the large number of small birds, particularly the pesky European Goldfinches. Only this morning I counted approximately 65, possibly more, which were feeding on the ground with 9 Red-browed Firetails. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for Sparrowhawk attacks on this flock of European Goldfinches which has been increasing in size for some weeks now.

As well as the European Goldfinches & Red-browed Firetails we also have Superb Fairywrens, Striated & Spotted Pardalotes, Weebills, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Silvereyes & Diamond Firetails. House Sparrows seem to have disappeared, at least for the time being. Overall, the number of small birds is probably healthier than it has ever been in our 35 years here so that might explain the occasional appearances of the Collared Sparrowhawk. It's marvellous how biodiversity works.

sue818
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Wonderful question to ponder, Woko. Not sure that you will ever work it out...chicken before egg type situation. Definitely marvellous.

Woko
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The same or a different Collared Sparrowhawk was in the same bird bath doing the same thing early this afternoon. I'm inclined to think it was a juvenile because it lacked the brown/rufous neck band of the adult.

Woko
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And last Monday not one but a pair of Collared Sparrowhawks flying over our house & causing considerable consternation to the rest of the bird population here. 

sue818
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Wonderful to hear the news, Woko. What a wonderful space you now occupy.

Woko
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Yes it is, Sue. We even had a pair of Euros (not the currency) on our verandah a couple of mornings ago. We're just outside the Euro's range according to a distribution map I checked so it's possible the restoration of habitat is enabling the species to extend its range. 

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