BOP ID. Kiruna, N. Sweden, today ! (1 Viewer)

[tarzzz]

Hello.

Hooded Crow and a Sparrowhawk ?

Thanks.

\surfan

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Surfan,
I agree with you, its a (pure) Hooded Crow for me, too= I cant detect any indication of Carrion Crow influnce.

The raptor is more difficult for me. I must admit, that it gave a Goshawk built impression at first, but judging by size (appearantly slightly smaller than the Hooded Crow and with such strongly contrastingly barred secondaries, this surely must be a Sparrowhawk. And the bill/head doesnt look not heavy enough for a Goshawk.

But I am surprised: it looks like the Sparrowhawk seems to attack the Crow. Not beeing mobbed by it. This is unusual for a Sparrowhawk.

Anyway I am in the Sparrowhawk camp for this one. But prepared to be corrected for this one. If yes, thanks! If confirmed, I am grateful too, you know.

 

[tarzzz]

Hello Surfan,
I agree with you, its a (pure) Hooded Crow for me, too= I cant detect any indication of Carrion Crow influnce.

The raptor is more difficult for me. I must admit, that it gave a Goshawk built impression at first, but judging by size (appearantly slightly smaller than the Hooded Crow and with such strongly contrastingly barred secondaries, this surely must be a Sparrowhawk. And the bill/head doesnt look not heavy enough for a Goshawk.

But I am surprised: it looks like the Sparrowhawk seems to attack the Crow. Not beeing mobbed by it. This is unusual for a Sparrowhawk.

Anyway I am in the Sparrowhawk camp for this one. But prepared to be corrected for this one. If yes, thanks! If confirmed, I am grateful too, you know.

Thanks for the answer. I thought the tail was short for Sparrowhawk, but i still think it is a Sparrowhak. Head and bill looks too "delicate" for Goshawk. They took turns, the Crow chased the hawk and than the other way around. Have seen this behavior before, almost like they are playing. An hour after this, i saw another Sparrowhawk playing the same game with a Magpie. Looked dangerous for the Magpie. The Magpie had to do an escape at last, but the hawk was after it. I don't know how it went.

 

[Troubador]

I am perfectly happy to be corrected but the raptor looks like a male Goshawk to me.


Lee

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
thanks for the fast answer. Playing/"friendly mobbing" behaviour with a Goshawk would be highly dangerous for a Hooded Crow (they are in the diet range for this species).

But I agree with Lee, too. Its a difficult bird still with a Goshawk jizz for me, too. I hope for more comments. Thanks!

 

[Butty]

Big! - apparently. But sharp tail-corners and bold secondary-bars. Upper chest and throat somewhat streaky like immature sparrowhawk.

 

[Sangahyando]

A bulky Sparrowhawk IMO. Apart from the subtle difference in plumage and structure (Goshawk should have more faintly barred secondaries, narrower hand, larger bill, more rounded tail tip etc.) I would expect a male Goshawk to be at least the same size as the crow, whereas this bird looks slightly smaller overall.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Big! - apparently. But sharp tail-corners and bold secondary-bars. Upper chest and throat somewhat streaky like immature sparrowhawk.

My instinct upon seeing the thumbnail was Gos but I think it's a Spar too.

To add to other pro Spar comments, I'd expect more of a bulge in the secondaries on a Gos.

 

[tconzemi]

A bulky Sparrowhawk IMO. Apart from the subtle difference in plumage and structure (Goshawk should have more faintly barred secondaries, narrower hand, larger bill, more rounded tail tip etc.) I would expect a male Goshawk to be at least the same size as the crow, whereas this bird looks slightly smaller overall.

Agree. It's an adult bird with nice barring all over the chest. An adult Goshawk would never show such bold barring on inner secondaries, inner secondaries (those touching the body) are completely unbarred in adult Goshawk.
The upper tail is visible and bold barring present there too (more unregular and framed white in Gos)
and above all, look at that tiny head, which probably means that bird is not so bulky but it's probably cold in Sweden which makes it look bigger (puffed up for insulation)

 

[tarzzz]

Thank you all, for the answers. I'll have it down as Sparrowhawk.