Collared Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza cirrocephala
Small, delicately-built gray raptor with orange barring on chest and belly. When soaring, tail-tip is notched when not fanned out. When perched, look for a tiny bill, blank-staring expression (no heavy brow), and very skinny legs. Much less likely to circle high in sky than Brown Goshawk, and tends to stick to cover.
Identification
The collared sparrowhawk is 29–38 cm (tail about half), with a wingspan 55–78 cm, the average male weighs 126 g, female 218 g. They are small, fierce, finely built with rounded wings, long square tail, yellow eyes and long legs. Adults have slate-grey upper parts, sometimes with a brown wash, and a chestnut half collar. The underparts are finely barred rufous and white. The under wing and tail are finely barred. The cere is cream to olive-yellow, the eyes yellow and the legs and feet yellow. The sexes are similar in appearance but males are smaller than females. Juveniles have brown upper parts, with pale streaks on the head and nape, and fine rufous edges to the feathers of the back and wings. The under parts are white with heavy brown streaks on the breast and coarse brown barring on the belly. The underwings and tail are finely barred. The cere is cream to greenish yellow, the eyes brown to pale yellow and legs and feet pale yellow.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tachyspiza cirrocephala
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Tachyspiza
Range and habitat
The collared sparrowhawk is widespread through mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea and is found in all habitats except the driest deserts. It can occasionally be seen in urban areas and even cities. Although widespread, they are generally uncommon. Collared sparrowhawks are generally resident but may be partly migratory, however their movements are poorly known.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Small, slender oriole. Adult males are a unique rich chestnut-brown color with a black head. Females are dull yellow-green with white wingbars. Immature males are similar to females, but with a black throat and mask. Breeds in open woodlands, river edges, pastures with scattered trees, and brushy orchards. Visits feeders with nectar and fruits. Departs breeding grounds early and heads to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America, where it can be found in any open or wooded habitat. Compare with female Hooded Oriole, which is larger and longer-tailed and has a narrower, more curved bill.
Golden-shouldered Parrot
Psephotellus chrysopterygius
Slender, long-tailed parrot restricted to a tiny range in tropical savanna woodland in far northern Queensland. Male a striking turquoise color, with red lower belly, tiny black cap, and yellow forecrown. Wings pale grayish brown with yellow band. Female primarily green with turquoise wash on face and underparts. This species digs tunnels in termite mounds in order to breed.
Singing Bushlark
Mirafra javanica
A small, stocky, pale brown bird with a fairly heavy bill. Unlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. The song is varied and complex, and includes whistles, trills, buzzes, metallic notes, and sometimes imitations of other bird species. The song can be given from a perch or on the wing. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.
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