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Having trouble identifying a bird? Hopefully, someone here can help.

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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3374

Michael Hamel-Green
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At the risk of overtaxing our experts with all my bird identification requests for help, I would welcome definitive identification of what I am taking to be a juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk, although I am aware there are difficulties in distinguishing them from Brown Goshawks. The darkish colouring is suggesting to me it's a juvenile. Hoping a raptor expert can assist. The other bird I am taking to be a Little Raven, especially in view of its rounded head. The Raven was part of a group mobbing the Sparrowhawk along Beach Rd, Werribee.

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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3375

Simon Pelling
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I would not call myself a raptor expert, but I think that the Sparrowhawk or the Goshawk is the right ballpark, noting the yellow eye. However, it will be very difficult to decide which one based on this photo due to the small size of the bird in the frame, and its overall lack of detail making the distinguishing features unclear. If you have other photos showing the bird more clearly, or closer, or from the underneath, it might help. I think the raven is most likely the Little based on location. The relative sizes are slightly confusing, but that may just be the pose in the photo.

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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3376

Geoffrey Dennis Offline Junior Member Posts: 30 Thank you received: 9	Hard to really be sure from the photo provided, but the tail indicates Brown Goshawk for me. Hard to see the eyebrow if flat or protruding (staring or glaring).
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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3377

Michael Hamel-Green Topic Author Offline Premium Member Posts: 115 Thank you received: 5	Many thanks, Simon and Geoffrey, for this feedback. Here are some additional photos that may help in identification. Unfortunately all were taken at roughly the same distance., and I have cropped one of the previous posted ones in case that helps. Michael Attachments:
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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3378

Geoffrey Dennis Offline Junior Member Posts: 30 Thank you received: 9	Goshawk for me - no forked tail and when I enlarged the images I could see the overhanging brow - Sparrowhawk has flat brow and forked tail.
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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk 1 year 1 month ago #3379

Michael Hamel-Green Topic Author Offline Premium Member Posts: 115 Thank you received: 5	Thanks. The beetle brow and lack of forked tail do seem decisive to conclude it's a Brown Goshawk. The remaining question is whether it is an immature bird. Selton, Gilfedder and Debus say "Immatures (second year) are browner versions of the adult, and lack the rusty collar". This one certainly has dark brown colouring. All very exciting for me since I have never seen one before.
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Possible juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk

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