Accipiter cirrocephalus

1 Collared Sparrowhawk at Black Range, NSW

Accipiter cirrocephalus at Black Range, NSW - 5 May 2020
Accipiter cirrocephalus at Black Range, NSW - 5 May 2020
Accipiter cirrocephalus at Black Range, NSW - 5 May 2020
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Identification history

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User's notes

A young Sparrowhawk; second photo gives better view of tail, and the centre toe/talon was long which is another diagnostic feature. The bird had some foliage (Pittosporum) tangled in one foot though the bird appeared uninjured, just slightly encumbered. Maybe it got tangled trying to catch prey. By the time we parted company (after the bird flew to several trees with me following) the foliage seemed to have come off. The Sparrowhawk had left the last tree by the time I returned to it half an hour later.

4 comments

JackieMiles wrote:
   5 May 2020
Certainly looks to have long slender legs, suggesting sparrowhawk, not goshawk. Pity the tail tip (square vs rounded) is not visible. What do you think it was doing hanging onto those pittosporum leaves?
   6 May 2020
Jackie, I have now added a second photo and some notes to better explain the sighting. Last night's posting was hurried and I did not have time for this additional material.
JackieMiles wrote:
   6 May 2020
Thanks. Tail does look squarish. Lucky you - the only close look I've ever had of one was when it flashed past right in front of my face in pursuit of a small bird. In a few microseconds I managed to register the barred underside and tiny size, but that was it - my best view of a sparrowhawk!
   6 May 2020
I have now posted a third photo in the series, this one was the sharpest and gives a little more info about the Sparrowhawk. It was a fortunate sighting, being able to follow the raptor at close range and get a number of images.

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Nearby sightings

Page 2 of 3 - image sightings only

Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon) at Black Range, NSW - 12 May 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Strepera versicolor (Grey Currawong) at Black Range, NSW - 5 May 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Acanthiza pusilla (Brown Thornbill) at Black Range, NSW - 3 May 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Angophora floribunda (Apple, Rough-barked Apple) at Black Range, NSW - 3 May 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Crypsiphona ocultaria (Red-lined Looper Moth) at Black Range, NSW - 29 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) at Black Range, NSW - 28 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Black Range, NSW - 25 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Aquila audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle) at Black Range, NSW - 25 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Wahlenbergia gracilis (Australian Bluebell) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Anredera cordifolia (Madeira Vine) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Prostanthera lasianthos (Victorian Christmas Bush) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Ozothamnus diosmifolius (Rice Flower, White Dogwood, Sago Bush) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Scaevola aemula (Common Fan-flower) at Black Range, NSW - 21 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Diplacodes melanopsis (Black-faced Percher) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Angophora floribunda (Apple, Rough-barked Apple) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Wahlenbergia capillaris (Tufted Bluebell) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Eolophus roseicapilla (Galah) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Adiantum aethiopicum (Common Maidenhair Fern) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Angophora floribunda (Apple, Rough-barked Apple) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Psophodes olivaceus (Eastern Whipbird) at Black Range, NSW - 12 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Black Range, NSW - 8 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Black Range, NSW - 8 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Zosterops lateralis (Silvereye) at Black Range, NSW - 8 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Caligavis chrysops (Yellow-faced Honeyeater) at Black Range, NSW - 8 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Aquila audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle) at Black Range, NSW - 3 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Falco longipennis (Australian Hobby) at Black Range, NSW - 1 Apr 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Leucosarcia melanoleuca (Wonga Pigeon) at Black Range, NSW - 31 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 31 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Falco longipennis (Australian Hobby) at Black Range, NSW - 31 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Varanus varius (Lace Monitor) at Black Range, NSW - 31 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Black Range, NSW - 31 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Pachycephala pectoralis (Golden Whistler) at Black Range, NSW - 30 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Falco longipennis (Australian Hobby) at Black Range, NSW - 30 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Varanus varius (Lace Monitor) at Black Range, NSW - 28 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Falco longipennis (Australian Hobby) at Black Range, NSW - 28 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Pseudechis porphyriacus (Red-bellied Black Snake) at Black Range, NSW - 26 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Delias harpalyce (Imperial Jezebel) at Black Range, NSW - 25 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Eastern Spinebill) at Black Range, NSW - 24 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Colluricincla harmonica (Grey Shrikethrush) at Black Range, NSW - 24 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 24 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Pachycephala pectoralis (Golden Whistler) at Black Range, NSW - 24 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Black Range, NSW - 23 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Black Range, NSW - 17 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Oriolus sagittatus (Olive-backed Oriole) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Rhipidura albiscapa (Grey Fantail) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Adiantum aethiopicum (Common Maidenhair Fern) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Varanus varius (Lace Monitor) at Black Range, NSW - 16 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Pachycephala pectoralis (Golden Whistler) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 13 Mar 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Amphibolurus muricatus (Jacky Lizard) at Black Range, NSW - 11 Feb 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Litoria peronii (Peron's Tree Frog, Emerald Spotted Tree Frog) at Black Range, NSW - 10 Feb 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Cracticus torquatus (Grey Butcherbird) at Black Range, NSW - 15 Jan 2020 by MatthewHiggins
Accipiter novaehollandiae (Grey Goshawk) at Black Range, NSW - 26 Dec 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Phaps chalcoptera (Common Bronzewing) at Black Range, NSW - 26 Dec 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Varanus varius (Lace Monitor) at Black Range, NSW - 6 Dec 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 6 Nov 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Leucosarcia melanoleuca (Wonga Pigeon) at Black Range, NSW - 6 Nov 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Pachycephala pectoralis (Golden Whistler) at Black Range, NSW - 6 Nov 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Phaps chalcoptera (Common Bronzewing) at Black Range, NSW - 29 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Accipiter novaehollandiae (Grey Goshawk) at Black Range, NSW - 29 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Black Range, NSW - 27 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Lopholaimus antarcticus (Topknot Pigeon) at Black Range, NSW - 22 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Amphibolurus muricatus (Jacky Lizard) at Black Range, NSW - 20 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Amphibolurus muricatus (Jacky Lizard) at Black Range, NSW - 18 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Zanda funerea (Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo) at Black Range, NSW - 12 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Pachycephala rufiventris (Rufous Whistler) at Black Range, NSW - 3 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Varanus varius (Lace Monitor) at Black Range, NSW - 3 Oct 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 29 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Aquila audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle) at Black Range, NSW - 27 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Goniaea australasiae (Gumleaf grasshopper) at Black Range, NSW - 27 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Chelodina longicollis (Eastern Long-necked Turtle) at Black Range, NSW - 24 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Pseudechis porphyriacus (Red-bellied Black Snake) at Black Range, NSW - 19 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Acanthiza lineata (Striated Thornbill) at Black Range, NSW - 12 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Falco cenchroides (Nankeen Kestrel) at Black Range, NSW - 11 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) at Black Range, NSW - 9 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Vombatus ursinus (Common wombat, Bare-nosed Wombat) at Black Range, NSW - 2 Sep 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Cracticus torquatus (Grey Butcherbird) at Black Range, NSW - 20 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Petroica boodang (Scarlet Robin) at Black Range, NSW - 11 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Platysace lanceolata (Shrubby Platysace) at Black Range, NSW - 11 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Neochmia temporalis (Red-browed Finch) at Black Range, NSW - 4 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Delena cancerides (Social huntsman spider) at Black Range, NSW - 4 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Glycine clandestina (Twining Glycine) at Black Range, NSW - 3 May 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Black Range, NSW - 30 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Eucalyptus cypellocarpa (Monkey Gum, Mountain Grey Gum) at Black Range, NSW - 30 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Scaevola aemula (Common Fan-flower) at Black Range, NSW - 30 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Black Range, NSW - 27 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Leucopogon juniperinus (Long Flower Beard-Heath) at Black Range, NSW - 26 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Acanthiza pusilla (Brown Thornbill) at Black Range, NSW - 26 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Strepera versicolor (Grey Currawong) at Black Range, NSW - 23 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Ypthima arctous (Dusky Knight) at Black Range, NSW - 23 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Colluricincla harmonica (Grey Shrikethrush) at Black Range, NSW - 23 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) at Black Range, NSW - 21 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Alisterus scapularis (Australian King-Parrot) at Black Range, NSW - 20 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins
Colluricincla harmonica (Grey Shrikethrush) at Black Range, NSW - 20 Apr 2019 by MatthewHiggins

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 5 May 2020 04:01 PM Recorded on
  • MatthewHiggins Recorded by

Species information

  • Accipiter cirrocephalus Scientific name
  • Collared Sparrowhawk Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-invasive or negligible
  • Up to 814.48m Recorded at altitude
  • 236 images trained Machine learning
  • External link More information
  • Synonyms

    Accipiter (Paraspizias) cirrocephalus cirrocephalus Accipiter (Paraspizias) cirrocephalus
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