fotowarkstee.de alfred schulte - Goshawk-Sparrowhawk

Brown Goshawk immature

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 02:05:29 +0000

Brown Goshawk immature / Example 6 (TAIL SHAPE) shows two birds in flight. One would expect that at least here the rounded/square tail feature should work but when, like in this case, the Goshawk is a moulting immature bird, and the Sparrowhawk a mature male, then one can easily come to a different conclusion, especially when observing the birds from a longer distance! When looking at Example 6 regarding the (WING SHAPE) then the curvature of the front wing lines are just marginally different and will be difficult to distinguish in the field. Although I must admit I have seen images of Brown Goshawks supporting that this species can have a straighter leading edge of the wing. So, observing a straight front wing line of a bird in flight can be an indicator of seeing a Brown Goshawk, it being more curved does in my opinion not indicate we look at a Sparrowhawk. Differences could possibly be related to the age and sex of the seen bird.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 02:05:25 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Sparrowhawk / Goshawk-7

Brown Goshawk

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:51:13 +0000

Brown Goshawk / Example 4 (LEGS and MIDDLE TOE). Here we can clearly see the differences in length of the middle-toe for the two species. This also a good example of the skinny legs of a Sparrowhawk as opposed to the thicker ones of a Brown Goshawk. These images allow also for a comparison of how the two species might look at you. Make up your mind if the descriptors (STARING / GLARING) hit the mark. For me this is still a separation feature, which I find a unconvincing, especially when considering Example 5.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:51:07 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Goshawk / Sparrowhawk-4

Brown Goshawk

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:45:06 +0000

Brown Goshawk / Example 3 (LEGS and MIDDLE TOE). Here differences in the length of the middle-toe are obvious. When checking the TAIL SHAPE feature in this image, then the different lengths of the tail feathers are clearly visible for the Goshawk, but just imagine, the bird would show you its back, then you would see a notched tail, because the shorter inner feathers would not be visible at all.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:09:38 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Goshawk / Sparrowhawk-3

Collared Sparrowhawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:59:06 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Example 5 (BROW) shows the same bird (Sparrowhawk), only having turned its head. In the left case the shadow above the eye is creating the illusion of a rather strong eyebrow, whereas this impression does not arise from the right image, where the bird has just turned its head so that it is fully sun-lit.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:58:59 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Sparrowhawk / Sparrowhawk-5

Brown Goshawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:23:01 +0000

Brown Goshawk / Example 1 (TAIL SHAPE). These images show a pair of Collared Sparrowhawks (shot at the Warrumbungle NP) and a pair of Brown Goshawks (photographed in FNQ on our way back from Iron Range). The two female birds (the bigger individuals) show the tail shape feature well, but it is already less clear for the male birds. For both species the tails of the male birds are slenderer, and the described effect is not obvious.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:22:59 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Goshawk / Sparrowhawk -1

Brown Goshawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:15:21 +0000

Brown Goshawk / Example 2 (CERE). These images demonstrate this feature well. It is a very useful criteria, I think, when inspecting a good quality image. I doubt though it'll be helpful in the field looking through a pair of binoculars.

Collared Sparrowhawk

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:15:17 +0000

Collared Sparrowhawk / Goshawk / Sparrowhawk -2