Female or juvenille?

[Twitcheruth]

Is this a female Sparrowhawk or last years juvenille?
It seemed small for a female but think the white eyebrow would indicate female.
Sorry about the pics....tis a very dull and dismal day here!!

[astafjevs]

Definitely a sparrowhawk, Ruth!

It looks just like the juvenile sparrowhawk here, if that helps?

RSPB

[Little Sparrow]

I agree with Stuart...definately a Sparrowhawk.lol!!

I am opting for juvenile!

Nothing wrong with your pics Ruth! A super garden visitor...though I know the Tits etc wouldn't agree!

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by Little Sparrow

I agree with Stuart...definately a Sparrowhawk.lol!!

I am opting for juvenile

Nothing wrong with your pics Ruth! A super garden visitor...though I know the Tits etc wouldn't agree!

Originally Posted by astafjevs

Definitely a sparrowhawk, Ruth!

It looks just like the juvenile sparrowhawk here, if that helps?

Thanks Stuart and Judith.....mmmmm, it does look like the one in the link doesn't it?
I don't know how long they are juveniles for? wouldn't it be an adult by now?

[jacobiteken]

Great pic Ruth I had one in my garden a few times but couldn't get a picture because he was to quick

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by jacobiteken

Great pic Ruth I had one in my garden a few times but couldn't get a picture because he was to quick

Thanks Kenny.....she sat for quite awhile......luckily as I was pegging out my washing and had time to run in for my camera!

[PeterB]

Still a nice pic given the weather. I am no expert but for what it's worth She looks juvenile from what I can comepare on Google.

[RoyW__]

Juvenile Sparrowhawks (generally) have coarser barring on the underparts than adult females, often with 'streaks' on the upper breast - as can be seen here. They also have narrow rufous/chestnut edges to the upperpart feathers (not obvious in these photos, but some rufous edges can be seen, especially on the nape).
There is no doubt that this is one of last years young, which won't moult out of juvenile plumage until late spring (and even then some juvenile feathers are usually retained).

It's not really possible to sex juveniles from photos, in the field (or in the hand) size may help but small females are very similar in size to larger males.

[alanjns]

It's a teenager Ruth

Lovely capture and what a stroke of luck. I must pay more attention when pegging out me smalls

[Twitcheruth]

Thanks for your replies Peter,Roy and Alan....I have been informed that it is infact a "second calendar-year spring male to me. The small size (as you noted), pale yellow irides and irregularly barred breast strongly suggest this. By second calendar-year autumn, it should be looking more adult-like in plumage."