[Australia, Darwin] (1 Viewer)

[rafnuss]

[Australia, Darwin] Brown Goshawk vs Collared Sparrowhawk

Photo taken two days ago at Knucke Lagoon. New to Australian birds.

Small head and bill, rather thin body, thin wings and burglar wings makes me think of Sparrowhawk. But the rounded tail doesn't match.

Thanks for your help

 

[MJB]

Photo taken two days ago at Knucke Lagoon. New to Australian birds. Small head and bill, rather thin body, thin wings and burglar wings makes me think of Sparrowhawk. But the rounded tail doesn't match. Thanks for your help

Perhaps a recently-fledged juvenile Australian Accipiter?

It does resemble a very thin Japanese Sparrowhawk, which species has reached Australia, judging by its heavy markings, but....?
MJB

 

[AlinoVegano]

Juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk would be my guess

 

[sicklebill]

I think it's Brown Goshawk- tail not square or notched, more rounded, frowning expression, legs look quite thick. Difficult here as this northern race didimus is near size of Collared Sparrowhawk so not an easy species pair to separate.

 

[MJB]

I think it's Brown Goshawk- tail not square or notched, more rounded, frowning expression, legs look quite thick. Difficult here as this northern race didimus is near size of Collared Sparrowhawk so not an easy species pair to separate.

Is the extent of plumage variation within/across sspp a confusion factor here? My own limited experience of wide-ranging Australian bird taxa suggests that overall, it's not uncommon, but is it applicable here? My cursory search for info has produced meagre authoritative info so far,,,,
MJB

 

[Larry Sweetland]

My gut reaction is also Brown Gos, mainly on facial expression and rounded tail.

 

[AlinoVegano]

I think it's Brown Goshawk- tail not square or notched, more rounded, frowning expression, legs look quite thick. Difficult here as this northern race didimus is near size of Collared Sparrowhawk so not an easy species pair to separate.

They are very similar, and I wouldn't rely on the slightly shorter outer tail feathers here. But tarsus seem too thin for the goshawk, and match perfectly the sparrowhawk. I checked many photos online and the thin tarsus exaggerate the thick impression of the feet by contrast, and the proportions of OP bird matches the sparrowhawk, not the goshawk imo.

 

[ZootheraMike]

I agree with Sicklebill and Larry Sweetland. Your bird looks a lot like an immature brown goshawk -more prominent brow when compared to collared sparrowhawk and the second image shows a distinctly round tail despite feather condition.

 

[AlinoVegano]

I agree with Sicklebill and Larry Sweetland. Your bird looks a lot like an immature brown goshawk -more prominent brow when compared to collared sparrowhawk and the second image shows a distinctly round tail despite feather condition.

I see a weak eyebrow and a square tail with worn/broken/growing outertail feathers, nothing rounded. I guess we will not agree, therefore I stop here but I keep my identification.