Is this a hawk sparrow?

[amanda]

Spotted this down the park today, i think its a hawk sparrow, not sure though. This pic has a few angles, thanks.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/...075104a4_o.jpg

[clydebirder]

Hi Amanda, the bird is a Kestrel, note the long tail and long narrow pointed wings. Sparrowhawks have shorter more rounded wings and shorter tail

Below is a photo I took of a female Sparrowhawk for comparison



cheers, John

[amanda]

Thanks, pick two does look like a Kestrel, but the bird seemed bigger, there was some crows chasing it and they were smaller compared to this bird. When it came closer it looked reddy-drown on it's upper breast. Going to invest in a zoom lens!
(just noticed in original thread i've put "Hawk Sparrow"should be "Sparrowhawk"

[bassist]

Please don"t brought a smile to my eyes..! hawk sparrow !Classic. On the subject of hawk sparrows ,the other day i was sat outside with a couple of friends having a beer,under my bird feeders!One of my mates said are they sparrow hawk feeders,all the rest of us burst out loud laughing!he had no idea what we were laughing at..!....!Peace....!Like neil said..we all knew what you was talking about...Peace and nice pics...!Check out my shags on the river ribble pic .....which turned out 2 b cormorants.......lol....like what do i know......!

[Neil Rigby]

Very good! Actually they could be considered to be Sparrowhawk feeders as sorts...

A Sparrowhawk would quite like a feeder with a load of small birds hanging off it to snatch!

Anyway Amanda, we all knew what you were talking about!