Goshawk or Sparrowhawk (1 Viewer)

B

bobbrownamillionyeah

New member

• Jan 2, 2019

• #1

I had this bird visiting my garden, all likelihood would suggest a sparrowhawk but the bulk and colour made me think it could be a goshawk. I am quite close to the new forest so it isn't beyond the realm of possibility but I don't know enough to distinguish. Any suggestions from these shots I managed to get?







cheers
Matthew

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Jan 2, 2019

• #2

What was the prey item? Looks like a Collared Dove or Woodpigeon. Not beyond the realms of possibility for a Goshawk. Looks to have a long tail, bulky and shaggy trousers and side under tail coverts. But as its known, always rule out a Sparrowhawk first.

 

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Jan 2, 2019

• #3

Sparrowhawk... Legs too thin for Goshawk - tail barring on Goshawk has thin white edge on each bar, this bird hasn't - breast barring not tight enough, even allowing for spread if eaten a lot. I'd guess at adult female.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jan 3, 2019

• #4

Spar for me, although this is a big bird, it just doesn't look like a Gos to me...........?

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Jan 3, 2019

• #5

Just my mind wandering...have there even been proven wild hybridization between Sparrow and Gos hawk? The only scenario I'm considering is a Male Goshawk with a large female Sparrowhawk.
Cheers,
P

 

Joern Lehmhus

Well-known member

• Jan 6, 2019

• #6

PYRTLE said:

Just my mind wandering...have there even been proven wild hybridization between Sparrow and Gos hawk? The only scenario I'm considering is a Male Goshawk with a large female Sparrowhawk.
Cheers,
P

Click to expand...

No, but falconers have done that. A rare cross , I think and only via artificial insemination....

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Jan 6, 2019

• #7

Than you Joern.

 

V

Vespobuteo

Well-known member

• Jan 6, 2019

• #8

PYRTLE said:

Just my mind wandering...have there even been proven wild hybridization between Sparrow and Gos hawk? The only scenario I'm considering is a Male Goshawk with a large female Sparrowhawk.
Cheers,
P

Click to expand...

Some clues might be found here:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003433999800094

I could not quite interpret the result though.

 

B

bobbrownamillionyeah

New member

• Jan 7, 2019

• #9

Thanks guys