Charente- France, Sparrowhawk?, 02/06/2023 (1 Viewer)

[Bewick]

Thought this was a sparrow hawk but it was suggested it could possibly be a goshawk.

It was seen flying over a mixed wood, looked rather large but at the time I put it down to the light.

Thanks for any help, unsure if the photos are even identifiable- Sadly only two photos.

 

[lou salomon]

Goshawk, on long and bulging arm, protruding head.

 

[Edwin Sapatsch]

How certain are you on your ID from these poor images please Lou 100% ? The problem is I dont want my Son to fall into the trap of submitting poor quality images and depending on Birdforums concensus of opinions to start adding the bird in question to his tick list. Thats a form of desperate Twitching. Thanks

 

[Bewick]

Goshawk, on long and bulging arm, protruding head.

Are you certain? My dad believes the photo is too bad for an Id.

 

[KenM]

Vertical streaking on breast in image 2, is only found on Imm.Goshawk.

Cheers

 

[RafaelMatias]

Goshawk, possibly male, as said on the other thread.

 

[RafaelMatias]

Vertical streaking on breast in image 2

Cheers

This looks to me as a photo artifact.

 

[Bewick]

So is this a definite?

 

[RafaelMatias]

So is this a definite?

Only you can say that, I guess, by carefully analyzing your photos. Of course, in my opinion yes, but that's another matter.

 

[Bewick]

Only you can say that, I guess, by carefully analyzing your photos. Of course, in my opinion yes, but that's another matter.

It seems so, it did look noticeably larger… thanks for the help.

 

[Butty]

How certain are you on your ID from these poor images please Lou 100% ? The problem is I dont want my Son to fall into the trap of submitting poor quality images and depending on Birdforums concensus of opinions to start adding the bird in question to his tick list. Thats a form of desperate Twitching.

Merely by asking that question I'd say you're falling into the same trap as you don't want Bewick to fall into. In my (admittedly purist) world, IDs are made and birds get on lists by dint of your own decision based on whatever criteria you choose to think are reliable and on features you can see for yourself - not a 'yes it's 100%' from a 'higher authority'.

Vertical streaking on breast in image 2

Just the tiniest obscure hint of it on a very-low-quality photo (no offence to photographer). Which means there is no worthwhile evidence for it.

it did look noticeably larger

Judging the size of a lone bird is notoriously unreliable.

 

[Bewick]

Merely by asking that question I'd say you're falling into the same trap as you don't want Bewick to fall into. In my (admittedly purist) world, IDs are made and birds get on lists by dint of your own decision based on whatever criteria you choose to think are reliable and on features you can see for yourself - not a 'yes it's 100%' from a 'higher authority'.

Just the tiniest obscure hint of it on a very-low-quality photo (no offence to photographer). Which means there is no worthwhile evidence for it.

Judging the size of a lone bird is notoriously unreliable.

Yes that’s true, I will not count it… I’ll try and re-find it and get better images.

 

[KenM]

Try lightening the images…it may pull out more detail?

Cheers

 

[Bewick]

Try lightening the images…it may pull out more detail?

Cheers

Will do

 

[Richard Dale]

You don't need any more detail - that is a nailed on goshawk just from the structure, particularly the bulging secondaries and narrow hand. Secondary characteristics are the protruding head, dark eye mask (I'd guess it's an adult male), tail shape, etc.

 

[Edwin Sapatsch]

As usual thanks for your various opinions they are most appreciated and I will leave it up to my Son to decide. He is an exceptionally keen and good young Birder who has always steered in the lane of caution when it comes to ID. I personally found these pictures lacking in defining detail. Cheers all

 

[Bewick]

Me personally it’s inconclusive- if I get better photos tomorrow I’ll post them.

Thanks for the help anyway!

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

100% certain adult Goshawk. Rounded tail and longer secondaries are conclusive.

 

[Bewick]

Sadly it was too far again, but this was taken in the same area today... I will be going back to get better photos.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Sadly it was too far again, but this was taken in the same area today... I will be going back to get better photos.

no need of more pix, the identification is undisputable.