Great Birding Moments # 33: Collared Sparrowhawk
Collared Sparrowhawk
Whenever I hear the alarm calls of the birds in our garden, especially the honeyeaters, I look skywards. I usually expect to see a bird of prey soaring overhead. Sometimes it turns out to be a Black Kite or a Little Eagle. At other times it will be a Brown Falcon sneaking through the lower trees trying to catch an unwary smaller bird.
Collared Sparrowhawk
Several days ago I was watching the Test Cricket (Australia v. India) on television. I heard the usual alarm calls outside and raced out into the garden armed with my camera. I was rewarded with closeup photos of a juvenile Collared Sparrowhawk. This species looks very similar to the juvenile Brown Goshawk - except for the size. Both species occur in our area. This one was definitely a Collared Sparrowhawk because it was about the size of an Australian Magpie.
Collared Sparrowhawk
Collared Sparrowhawks are found throughout most of Australia. Their preferred habitats include forests, woodlands, inland scrubs and farmlands. Their breeding season ranges from August through to December, so this one could well be from last year’s breeding season.
Collared Sparrowhawk
Click on any photo to enlarge the image.
Further reading:
- Early morning walk and a bird of prey - also featuring another photo of this species.
- Great Birding Moments - more highlights from my birding experiences.
Collared Sparrowhawk
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Great shots Trevor, well done.
Thanks Duncan.
For some reason this particular individual was quite unafraid of me. It allowed me to approach to within about four metres and then sat and posed nicely for me. That certainly helped with the photography. It’s good to get a cooperative bird every now and then.
I work on a mine site as an environmental advisor and we have just taken in a young collared sparrow hawk who must of been dislodged from his nest. Unable to locate the nest we have been feeding him and will take him to a raptor care centre in the next couple of days. hopefully he can one day return to our site as an adult
Hi there Matt - welcome to my birding blog. Well done for rescuing the young bird in question, and for aiming to get the experts in raptor rescue to look after it. Good work.
What part of Australia are you working in?
have been watching a pair of these birds building their nest in aeucalypt in front yard 1 acreproperty near young late october 2009 I will keep you informed
Hi Trevor,
Thank you for your blog. The great photos of collared sparrowhawk you have posted have helped me in confirming the identity of a juvenile (prob. 1 y.o.) in an appletree in my backyard currently ripping into the remains of a crested pigeon. Canberra 29/10/2009.
Thanks for stopping by Steven. Glad I was able to help you.