First two photos taken 22 Sep 2012 at Brownhill Creek, near Adelaide, South Australia. First two photos (5971,5975) of same bird, hard to tell size as so far up. Fairly certain Collared Sparrowhawk or Brown Goshawk. Does the curved fanned tail imply brown goshawk?
On 3 Nov 2012 saw another similar bird, (6645) possibly the same. At Hillside Glen, was perched in tree as we arrived, flew off down into the bushes, remained there for a few minutes before flying up into a nearby tree in Birdie Glen. We followed, and this process was repeated several times. Size estimate as between 30 and 40 cm, I though it was closer to 30, but partner thought 40. Grey back and head, with rufous patch near neck. Paler underneath but no obvious markings as we would expect. I claimed a very slight barring. Long yellow legs with feathered top, lazy flight. Bulky. A curved fanned tail when gliding, with pale tips. Photos did suggest the square tail when folded, but focus not too good. Dark tips to wings.
Any ideas?
Hi Wen-Ai. As always, it's very difficult to distinguish between the two species at this distance, especially for the average Joe Blow such as myself. If my life depended on my making a decision I'd say it's a brown goshawk in the first two photos based on the curved tail & also a brown goshawk in the third photo based on what looks like a rather robust leg compared with that of the collared sparrowhawk.
Have you seen the excellent posting of a couple of weeks ago comparing the two species?
Dear Woko
Thank you, I did see the posting, that's what led me to this website. I noticed that the photo at end by al shows the collared sparrowhawk with a curved tail? But the comment about the robust leg is a good point. Thanks again.