[wolfbirder]

I was at Brierley, Forest of Dean on saturday watching a Hawfinch, overhead I saw a male Goshawk and Raven sparring, the raptor appeared fractionally smaller than the Raven, but turned the table on it and saw it off so to speak. the Raven maintained a healthy distance.

Whilst the 3 birders near me said it was a goshawk, a group of birders further down thought it was a Sparrowhawk. I know male Gos & female Sparrowhawk can be confused. Would the behaviour be likely to confirm which. I would have thought a Raven would not be at all concerned about a Sparrowhawk - might be wrong tho!

Birding keeps throwing up interesting scenarios to me....this city boy would value any opinions gratefully from the real experts on here.

[mat]

hi, not sure about the behaviour in gis but its not unusual to see smaller birds take on larger and win, merlin v buzzard for example
mat

[Steven Astley]

Like Mat said anything chases anything almost with birds.

A sparrowhawk, even a female, would look pretty miniscule in comparison to a Raven.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by Steven Astley

Like Mat said anything chases anything almost with birds.

A sparrowhawk, even a female, would look pretty miniscule in comparison to a Raven.

Not to mention a Goshawk.
Bob

[Andrew Rowlands]

Originally Posted by ceasar

Not to mention a Goshawk.
Bob

Female Gos are very much on a par with Ravens, Bob - it's quite an eye-opener to watch one following the other around. Respectful distance is about the right term for it - usually.

Mat - Merlins are great- they'll chase of almost anything:- Hen Harriers, Peregrines, Buzzards, Goshawks, Ravens ...

Andy.

[ceasar]

I saw a Raven yesterday in the Pocono Mountains near where I live. I'll grant that they are pretty big but I'd never mistake one for a Goshawk or a Sharpshin. The Goshawks that winter over in our area are big, deep chested, powerful birds as big as a Red Tail. They hang out on the woodland edges and in the scrub oak forest looking for squirrels, rabbits and grouse. Some stay around all year rather than just wintering over. It's been a mild winter and I haven't seen one this year yet. Believe me, you haven't lived until you've experienced one busting through the brush near you after a grouse you were hoping to see first and bag. The ferocity is palpable!

When I made my comment I meant it to mean that sparrow hawks were also tiny compared to goshawks. (Although the way I've seen them harass bigger raptors, I'd have to say that they have hearts are as big as any bird, even if they don't have much good sense!) I've never seen goshawks or ravens (crows, yes!) engage in this behavior. Goshawks can be territorial and I can see an individual bird chasing away a raven, but not a flock of them doing so.
Bob