Hi All

Some time ago I submitted a photo of a "Brown Goshawk" (Image A0555) into one of the Intermediate Level competitions (Best Ever for 2015). The bird was photographed at Broome Bird Observatory in Sep 2014. The image I submitted for the comp did not show the end of the tail and therefore did not get picked up at the verification stage. Today I was having a look at other photos of the bird taken on the same day, and now I am pretty sure it is a Collared Sparrowhawk. I say this because of the slightly forked tail shown in image A0564 (attached) rather than the rounded tail of a Brown Goshawk. Also Image A0568 shows the bird has narrow legs etc. The birdlist for the Broome Observatory shows that Collared Sparrowhawks are uncommon there, which may be the reason I didn't get this right originally.

However, before I fix this up, I would appreciate some comments from the Forum to confirm that it actually is a Collared Sparrowhawk rather than a Brown Goshawk.

Regards
Geoff Dennis

Having looked at this again, I am leaning back towards Brown Goshawk. The key feature for me to change my mind again is the "brooding brow" which to me seems quiet distinct. The swallow tail really confuses me here.

Hi Geoffrey
I, too, am thinking Brown Goshawk. To me, the front toe is not as long as is usually seen on a Collared Sparrowhark.

I too am inclined towards juvenile Brown Goshawk ssp didimus based on the pale blue under the yellow cere. The pale blue in your images does not appear to extend in front of the cere as in sparrowhawk. The new CSIRO Guide shows the face details on p. 233.

Cheers, Ian.

Thanks Ian and Peter. Yes I agree and will go with the Brown Goshawk. Sounds like I need to get the CSIRO field guide as I hadn't seen the bit around the cere before. Really confusing when the bird has a distinct brooding look and swallow tail.