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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ChrisKten" data-source="post: 3602678" data-attributes="member: 69033">OK, let's try this another way, and base this on pictures rather than inches, as not many are as lucky as I am to see Sparrowhawks at close range. Look carefully at pictures of Sparrowhawks, look how spindly their legs are, how thin their feet are, and although sharp, how small and thin their talons are. Now look at the chest and belly, how long and thin they are (unless they've just eaten). Sparrowhawks are fragile-looking birds. They are incredibly fast in flight, and unbelievably aerobatic, and they are smart and fearless, but they are not a powerful-looking bird. Now look at pics of Goshawks, maybe start <a href="http://www.birdphoto.fi/lajikuvat/accgen/" target="_blank">here</a> - do you see a fragile-looking bird? Look at the tarsi, the chest, the talons... A Goshawk is a powerful-looking bird. So I still say that you are likely to know if you see a Goshawk, unless you have views so bad that any definite ID is impossible.I also think much of the "confusion" isn't confusion at all, just wishful thinking... I know, I've done it myself <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>