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Hi all..

I got this one as a Juv/Immature African Goshawk...

Please help with the Id of this raptor.
I have identified it as a Black Sparrowhawk but not sure.
Found it in the riverine thickets on the Timbavati River near Bobbejaanskrans.

Hi Deville,
The Black Sparrowhawk is quite a big bird. Yours seems bit small to me in comparison.
BS also don't show these facial markings. Unfortunately we can't see the chest and belly markings properly but I'll go with an immature African Goshawk.
Right size, facial markings, they have these bold drop-shaped blotches on the chest and belly with some barring on the flanks. Think we can see some of these markings in your pic.

Let's see what people like TG, Deefstes and the others have to say but immature African Goshawk's got my vote.

Happy birthday by the way

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Hi Delville, hope you don't mind me adjusting your photo a little. Just wanted to bring a little more light to it.

I agree with Johann on the young African Goshawk ID.
Pity it did not turn so that you could get a shot of the markings infront, but birds don't read photography manuals.

A “painful, agonizing” thanks to WTM ….only joking, I appreciate the help.
I have another one that I also need help with…seen in my garden in Maputo.



Closer crop of the head.

Juvenile African Goshawk. Awesome shots of a fantastic bird!

Yip, imm African Goshawk.

Possible confusion with an imm Little Sparrowhawk but they don't show the white eyebrow you can see on your pic.

The dark line down the centre of the throat is also a clincher.

Thank you VERY much!!
This guy sat in the palm for more that an hour watching the birds that come to eat at the feeders. Initially I did think it was a young Little Sparrowhawk because we have had one in the garden before, but this guy looked bigger and its tail was longer.

Indeed, if you are familiar with Little Sparrowhawk, it would take you no more than a fraction of a second to notice that this kêrel is MUCH bigger. There are other accipiters that can be tricky to seperate but these are actually pretty easy. I bet you'd never struggle with him again.

Hi,this is my first post, please help me to identify this bird.

Beautiful!

Looks like the Little sparrowhawk (Kleinsperwer - Accipiter minullus) to me.

It is the second smallest bird of prey in Southern Africa, only the Pygmy falcon is smaller. Though small in size, it is quite capable to catch birds up to its own size.

I don't think this is a Little Sparrowhawk at all. In fact, this bird would be on the other side of the size scale, being an African Cuckoo Hawk (female). Awesome bird, awesome shots!!! Where did you take the pictures?

Thanks Imberbe, but the bird was bigger than the little sparrwhawk (about 40cm)


Thank deefstes,
I have taken the pictures in a area with many trees, I don't remember exactly the area, this evening I will see the diary of the trip to answer.
I observed the bird for about 15 minutes and i have not seen any crest, so i don't know if it could be an African Cuckoo Hawk, maybe an African Goshhawk?
Thanks and excuse me for my bad english.

Of course! That's exactly what it is. Silly mistake, sorry.