Bird quiz...

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

sparrowhawk left, kestrel right.

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure as it's only a juvenile...it's not unlike a Merlin either...bit tricky when they're young and have got sharp pointy bits!!

Originally Posted by Stingo

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure as it's only a juvenile...it's not unlike a Merlin either...bit tricky when they're young and have got sharp pointy bits!!

Merlins are even smaller than Kestrels, your bird looks a bit bigger. Difficult to say but I'd go with an adult male, he has quite distinguished orange underparts. Howwever, I think the older juveniles have this too, so you're probably right

Lovely looking bird, inside your house is no doubt a change from the usual garden or town!

[Luckypants]

I'd be more inclined to the Merlin

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/bird...rlin/index.asp

The chest and eyes / head look right for a female?

Well they are similar in colouring but the merlin is much smaller than a sparrowhawk. Always much easier to tell in real life than a photo. Best way to tell is when they are in flight, the merlin is a falcon and therefore has pointed wings, the sparrowhawks are more rounded. Also female Merlins are a lot browner than males, no slate-blue coloring on the head and back, or orangeyness.

I still think Sparrowhawk Tis bugging me now though, hurry up and find out for certain Stingo!

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

sparrowhawk left, kestrel right.

i think the lady is correct.

Originally Posted by Stingo

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure as it's only a juvenile...it's not unlike a Merlin either...bit tricky when they're young and have got sharp pointy bits!!

merlin's are falcons and sparrowhawks are well... hawks. the difference comes in the legs. hawks have longer/no feathers on their legs normally, plus the orangey breast to me say sparrowhawk. *i may however be totally wrong as it's a while since i've been able to get invovled with birds of prey.

[dizzyblonde]

How do you know when its capable of being released?
Also how do you know its wild, and not a tame one, that hasn't a clue how to be wild?

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

How do you know when its capable of being released?
Also how do you know its wild, and not a tame one, that hasn't a clue how to be wild?

would a 'tame' bird not have a ring or marking of some sort on it to show that? ringed wild birds are usually identifiable as such are they not? if it is 'tame' it may well just fly back to where it came from, best thing though would probably be to call the RSPCA, who'll ocme and get it and decide what's best.

[Stingo]

I wasn't there when it was released but...I reckon it was a sparrowhawk given that it had the horizontal breast markings and some white markings on its back.

It was released this morning and flew off with no difficulty. It did not have any rings or tags etc...hopefully it'll be alright. Not sure what the initiak problem was - maybe it flew into a wall and stunned itself or something .

It,s proper Bo i tell thee.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

How do you know when its capable of being released?
Also how do you know its wild, and not a tame one, that hasn't a clue how to be wild?

I don't believe Sparrowhawks are regularly used in falconry, usually Harris Hawks which aren't native to this country. Falcons are - as the sport suggests - more commonly used. I've not heard of anyone keeping a Sparrowhawk as a pet, but then I wouldn't put it past someone.

Chris numbers, I think you're right with the ringing/tagging, nice easy way of identifying a bird if it belongs to anyone.