Female Sparrowhawk

[aceyone]

cooling off


thanks for looking

[Airwolfhound]

One of my favourite raptors, although pretty much love all raptors

Fabulous photos. Occasionally get a Sparrowhawk land on our fence, but never sticks around long enough for a photo, well jel

[FarnboroJohn]

Envious of the views and pix!

There's quite a lot of rufous on the face and the flank barring. How certain are you of the female status?

[aceyone]

Envious of the views and pics!

There's quite a lot of rufous on the face and the flank barring. How certain are you of the female status?

Thanks,definitely female , the male visited several times with food but I couldn't get a decent pic

[FarnboroJohn]

Envious of the views and pics!

There's quite a lot of rufous on the face and the flank barring. How certain are you of the female status?

Thanks,definitely female , the male visited several times with food but I couldn't get a decent pic

They are very quick. I suspect they are a bit nervous of their mates, which after all are comfortably large enough to predate them - and have been known to, though not within a stable relationship.

Interesting plumage. I shall have to be a bit more reticent about sexing Sparrowhawks on that feature.

[AlexC]

Saw one perched on the feeding station a few days ago. Needless to say, all the garden birds were nowhere to be seen for quite some time after she flew off.

[aceyone]

Envious of the views and pics!

There's quite a lot of rufous on the face and the flank barring. How certain are you of the female status?

Thanks,definitely female , the male visited several times with food but I couldn't get a decent pic

They are very quick. I suspect they are a bit nervous of their mates, which after all are comfortably large enough to predate them - and have been known to, though not within a stable relationship.

Interesting plumage. I shall have to be a bit more reticent about sexing Sparrowhawks on that feature.

I was a bit confused myself, here the slightly smaller male is on the right



and if that doesn't convince you then



that should