Sparrowhawk Or Not?

BuzzardLightyear · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:16 PM

Hi guys and gals, I spotted this bird of prey sitting on a telephone line in my road. Can anyone help me identify it, I think it could be a Sparrowhawk but not sure. Apologies but its a poor photo and the bird was very shy looking away

Gaina · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:56 PM

What sort of size was it?

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 04:31 AM

Definitely bigger than a Sparrowhawk; it's a Common Buzzard. It's relatively unusual for Sparrowhawks to sit out on wires in the open like this.

Madelinew · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 07:07 AM

Couldn't tell you whether that's a buzzard or not but it definitely looks too heavy for a sparrowhawk. The rare occasions I spot my resident female is in a flurry of feathers before I or her victim know she's been - and gone. I have seen her perched on a log tearing up her prey - usually a collared dove - and she's definitely got more of a tail and is a slighter set bird than your pic.

stevensi · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 08:30 AM

Any chance that it is a cuckoo. I know the shape looks wrong but that might be because it is prenning itself. The colour does look like a cuckoo...

Might be totally off but thought i'd put it out there...opinions?

BuzzardLightyear · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 11:02 AM

Hey thanks guys....I wasn't sure if it was a Buzzard or not as the bird was actually quiet some distance away from me when I took the pic on zoom. It didn't look big enough for a Buzzard but did have the 'bulky' stature as you say. The very white under side made me think it was a Sparrowhawk but after your comments I am now inclined to agree that it was a Buzzard. Thanks for your help.

Gaina · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 09:38 PM

I agree with everyone who's saying Buzzard.

The reason I asked about the size was because I'd seen a very light buzzard almost identical to that one a few hours earlier when I was out but then noticed the eye was very bright and suddenly wasn't so sure.

nigel_b · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:17 PM

I'm no real expert, but it looks rather buzzard-like to me.

ANNO · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:46 PM

common buzzard showing collar, and typical stocky medium sized raptor - buzzards are great and show lots of variation and with a massive UK increase the key bird to get under your belt which will lead to other idents of large raptors.