Merlin or Sparrowhawk, England? (1 Viewer)

[Pete Gt]

I was wondering where all the small birds in the garden had gone and this was the culprit; it was sitting in the apple tree, unfazed by the Jackdaws hopping around, but looking a tad smaller than said Jackdaws. I thought Sparrowhawk since they are pretty common vistors to the garden but if it is an immature (due to size mostly) is it male or fem? The colour suggests female but the face seems to show some reddy coloration and size suggested male and is it normal for there to be so much of a mottled effect on the back?

I don't think it's a merlin but am a little confused by coloration, mostly - and size..Any comments welcome Pete

 

[Parker]

Sparrowhawk.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Sparrowhawk indeed; generally speaking, wings are short in sparrowak, much longer in falcon, almost reaching the tail (Merlin, Kestrel) or even longer in other species.

 

[chris butterworth]

Another for Sparrowhawk. The tail is to long, the wings are to short ( as Valéry has mentioned ) and there are large white 'spots' on the upperparts. All rule out Merlin.

Chris

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Sparrowhawk

CB

 

[OlaB]

It's in juvenile plumage. Note the rufous fringes on the coverts. As such it can't be sexed on plumage details. There are no size differences between juvenile and older birds. Probably a male then if you felt it was that small but I can't judge safely from the photos.