Goshawk vs. Sparrowhawk... (1 Viewer)

StuartReeves · Nov 16, 2018

This photo provides a great comparison between the two species. The caption describes the sparrowhawk as a young male and the goshawk as a female. I hope it's not necessary to explain which one is which.

jalid · Nov 16, 2018

In fact, it is captioned that Sparrowhawk is male and Goshawk female. It is not always this easy!

Andy Adcock · Nov 16, 2018

jalid said:
In fact, it is captioned that Sparrowhawk is male and Goshawk female. It is not always this easy!

It is when the Goshawk is a juv!

StuartReeves · Nov 16, 2018

jalid said:
In fact, it is captioned that Sparrowhawk is male and Goshawk female. It is not always this easy!

You're right, my Danish is too rusty! I'll correct the original post for clarity.

KenM · Nov 16, 2018

An extremely good comparative shot!

Cheers

taxonomy. · Nov 16, 2018

Excellent comparison, both very spectacular birds.

Tiraya · Nov 18, 2018

I think I'll just accept that I'll never sort out the Accipiter pairs. Sparrow vs gos, Cooper's vs sharpie, Aus. gos vs sparrowhawk...I'd take gulls and shorebirds any day!

marcsantacurz · Nov 19, 2018

Are the accipiter sparrowhawks all non-north america? I'm used to sparrowhawk referring to the American Kestrel (not even a hawk!).

Tiraya · Nov 19, 2018

marcsantacurz said:
Are the accipiter sparrowhawks all non-north america? I'm used to sparrowhawk referring to the American Kestrel (not even a hawk!).

The small American Accipiter (=the "sparrowhawk" by modern sense) would be sharp-shinned hawk, and the "goshawk" would be Cooper's hawk (although the "real" goshawk also occurs in some areas of North America).

Sangahyando · Nov 19, 2018

Silverwolf said:
I think I'll just accept that I'll never sort out the Accipiter pairs. Sparrow vs gos, Cooper's vs sharpie, Aus. gos vs sparrowhawk...I'd take gulls and shorebirds any day!

The most annoying thing about Goshawks is that you usually only see them for a split second, or in some other awkward situation where it is impossible to get a picture or a prolonged, closer look.

Silverwolf said:
The small American Accipiter (=the "sparrowhawk" by modern sense) would be sharp-shinned hawk, and the "goshawk" would be Cooper's hawk (although the "real" goshawk also occurs in some areas of North America).

Cooper's Hawk is basically a "budget goshawk"...

KenM · Nov 19, 2018

Sangahyando said:
The most annoying thing about Goshawks is that you usually only see them for a split second, or in some other awkward situation where it is impossible to get a picture or a prolonged, closer look.
Cooper's Hawk is basically a "budget goshawk"...

Couldn’t agree more...I like the last sentence!

Larry Sweetland · Nov 19, 2018

marcsantacurz said:
Are the accipiter sparrowhawks all non-north america? I'm used to sparrowhawk referring to the American Kestrel (not even a hawk!).

There are about 50 accipiter species, all called something sparrowhawk, something goshawk or just something hawk. Three of them in north america

johnallcock · Nov 20, 2018

Larry Sweetland said:
There are about 50 accipiter species, all called something sparrowhawk, something goshawk or just something hawk.

Or Besra or Shikra, just to confuse things

Tiraya · Nov 20, 2018

My favourite is how different people try and pronounce "Accipiter".

Goshawk vs. Sparrowhawk... (1 Viewer)

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