Visitor on the Fence

[John 2]

Woke up one morning to feathers on the lawn and not a bird in sight. We thought it might be the work of a local cat but in the afternoon, we found this individual perched on our back fence, presumably looking for desert. I think it's a Sparrow Hawk but I'm willing to be corrected.

Nikon D90
70-300mm Nikkor @ 300mm + 1.4x Con.
1/200th sec @ f8 ISO 800

[Digital]

John, nice capture.



Bruce

[chauncey]

Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look...it do make a gorgeous image though.

[terrib]

Whatever it is, it is beautiful and you did a wonderful job with the photo. Interesting pose, intense look, beautiful background. Very nice!

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Rita]

Nice capture, an interesting pose, and a mean look.

[Brownbear]

Beautiful capture! Sorry I don't know what type of hawk this is.

[Otavio]

You've got a very nice visit, John. Well done!

[deetheturk]

Great capture John,love that intense stare!

[dje]

Great shot John, wonderful light.

Dave

[Geoff F]

I can't quite place that bird, John. Could it be a juvenile?

Would it be too large for a male Merlin?

Otherwise, an escapee?

[bnnrcn]

Very nice, sharp and clear shot John

[John 2]

Thanks all for the comments.

Geoff, ultimately it was the eyes and the pattern on the feathers that lead me to think it might be a Sparrow Hawk but I couldn't be sure.

[Geoff F]

Yes, John, the identity seems to be a bit of a poser.

I did check, and double checked, my books because I'm no expert on the hawks. Sparrowhawks normally have a prominent dark 'eyebrow' and, which is more uncertain to me, a pale breast with reddish brown bars. And all of the other species which I can think of as alternatives are rather similar; although the stripes are up and down on the Hobby.

Maybe a sub adult Peregrine would be worth considering?

Possibly ask for advice on one of the bird forum sites. I use Wild About Britain for insects etc and they do have a good selection of bird experts there.

Having such a good photo, it would be nice to have the correct name to go with it.

[ST1]

Great image John, typical urban perch for a Sparrow Hawk (if that's what it is) did you get any without the head turned like this?
The reason I ask is that they have a distinctive feather colouring at the back of the head, that look like two eyes.
We used to get them calling by on a regular basis but they and the Tawny Owls seem to have been disturbed by a the building of a new housing estate which is being constructed near by.

[Mike Buckley]

Terrific image, John. Though I don't fully appreciate shots of birds, it's easy even for me to appreciate this one.

[John 2]

Thanks very much for the additional comment all. Peter you may have nailed it. Not a very good image (the D90 was never happy with the 1.4 x) but there are some distinct white spots on the back of its head. Is that what you mean?

[ST1]

Yes that's it John. Here's a rather poor image of mine from 2009. I probably should have deleted this in 2009 but it does show the head markings and the chest feathers for you, IHTH.

[Wavelength]

SuperB...no; superA

[John 2]

Nandakumar, thanks for the comment. I missed this earlier so apologies.