Goshawk or Sparrowhawk??

Fourwings · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:02 PM

I have been looking at this image for the past 24 hours and can still not make up my mind so I thought I'd put it to the masses to decide.
It was taken in Leicestershire yesterday afternoon, the bird appeared quite large for a Sparrowhawk even given the great height at which it was flying hence my doubts on ID.
If its a Sparrowhawk then no worries, but if it turned out to be a Goshawk then I didn't want it to go unrecorded.

naturelover · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:03 PM

I would say sparrow hawk,but i bet i am wrong.

demicav · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:09 PM

First impression Sparrowhawk but tail looked a bit short so could well be a Goshawk.

galanthus · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:18 PM

Just been closely studying my tome of a bird guide. Both very very similar, however, I'd say given that the sparrowhawk is far more common and I'm sure can see a slight colouration to edge of wings near head would go with sparrowhawk myself .

juliejam · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:23 PM

Im also going with Goshawk..

Julie

colincurry · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:28 PM

I had a similar quandary last week. In the end, I chose sparrowhawk for my option; partly because of where I live, and partly because a goshawk is about half as big again as a sparrowhawk.

I checked in the RSPB 'Birds of Britain and Europe' by Rob Hume which pointed out the square fanning of the sparrowhawk wings when soaring. The 'fingers' at the end of the wings seemed much more pronounced.

So, I too am leaning towards sparrowhawk - but me, I know nothing.

Colin