sparrowhawk

Hi kezmo sounds like a male to me.

Hi Kezmo,

I judge by the size mainly. Males are smaller, about the size of a jackdaw. If it was bigger than that it was probably female.

I have checked before replying and if brown underneath, it would be a female as the male is white. This is how I identify them when they are flying and I haven't binoculars with me to see other details.

Hi Nisus, Sparrow and Brenda H

Thanks for your replies, if I get to see it again I will try to be a bit more specific. 

Hi Kezmo,

It must have been a lovely moment, sitting in the conservatory sipping coffee with a beautiful sparrowhawk sitting a few feet away. The only times I have seen them in my garden is when they are swooping down to the hedge for a sparrow, and they are so fast, come out of nowhere, and disappear just as fast, that if you blink you miss it, with no possibility of any photos. I have even wondered if I was seeing things!

Hi Sparrow

Your'e right Sparrow, it was lovely, to see one quite close.  We were both frightened to move in case it flew off.  Drat the squirrel for chasing it - which I found almost surprising.  Would have thought a squirrel would be just as tasty as a small bird to the sparrowhawk.

Normally, like you, if I'm lucky, I only get to see a glimpse of it as it flies through - they are quick aren't they.

Hi Kezmo.

If definately sounds like it was a male you saw.  They really are fasntastic birds to look at.  Of course that's when the stay around long enough to allow a clear view. :-)

 

Paul

Hi Heron77

Yes it was certainly a kodak moment - shame the camera wasn't near to hand LOL

Hi Kezmo

Well done having a Sparrowhawk in your garden

Like you said it is amazing how tolerant they are of people being close to them -  for whatever reason.

The Females are a lot larger, and have grey brown upperparts

Males are all grey, smaller, orange red from throat to belly.

Mind you I have been so busy birding, walking all day.  I was dog tired when I typed this post last night.  So lots of fresh air, walking and enjoying birds for what they are.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Ok.   kezmo says rusty red upperparts. So I don't know where most of you are getting your information from but: A male sparrowhawk is small & has a slate grey back with blueish tinge, with  reddish upperparts that can also look orange. A female sparrowhawk is larger  & has a brown back, with brown-grey barring on upperparts.  But looks more white underneath ( No red/orange) I have never seen a female with any rusty red upperparts! A juvenile is brown on back and   with dark brown barred upperparts, I have seen plenty of sparrowhawks & filmed lots so my money is on it being a male. Kezmo I have filmed lots of sparrowhawks, if you have access to a camcorder this would be great you could set it up on a tripod in your conservatory then when mr sparrowhawk comes back flick the switch & you have captured that moment for ever. Then you can pause rewind etc.. & identification is easy. This is what I do I take my camcorder everywhere even to work as I'm always out & about & I see lots of new birds or even just capture amazing video footage. Try it, I caught a male sparrowhawk bringing food back to some juveniles in a forest & I filmed one juvenile take the food to a tree & pluck it while still calling to it's parents it was amazing.  See it's all about being in the rite place at the rite time & if your not prepared you will miss the moment. I always keep a field guide, bins & camcorder wherever i go,  obviously not everywhere :) Also kezmo look at photos of sparrowhawks on the internet or videos on YouTube. I find it a better way of identifying birds than field guides if you are struggling. Blackbird I think you got the colours mixed up ;)