Pied sparrowhawk

[Diamond Dave]

This poor fella crashed into the window of my conservatory and looks like it broke its neck - shame!
Was just wondering if the white markings on it were normal for a blind of prey?

[king]

Juvenile sparrowhawks typically have white or cream-colored patches on the back of their necks (the nape). This is a normal part of their plumage as they transition from fledgling to adult. But I would think all birds could show Pied. I used to have a white w/f sparrow around my garden. And at work many years ago there was a whole family of starlings that were white/pied.

While rare, individual Eurasian Sparrowhawks can exhibit leucism, a genetic condition that results in white patches or a "pied" look due to a partial loss of pigmentation. This is an abnormality and not a standard plumage for the species

[Steve Howells]

This poor fella crashed into the window of my conservatory and looks like it broke its neck - shame!
Was just wondering if the white markings on it were normal for a blind of prey?Screenshot_20251222_144157_Gallery.jpg

Hope the window is ok

[king]

Juvenile sparrowhawks typically have white or cream-colored patches on the back of their necks (the nape). This is a normal part of their plumage as they transition from fledgling to adult. But I would think all birds could show Pied. I used to have a white w/f sparrow around my garden. And at work many years ago there was a whole family of starlings that were white/pied.

While rare, individual Eurasian Sparrowhawks can exhibit leucism, a genetic condition that results in white patches or a "pied" look due to a partial loss of pigmentation. This is an abnormality and not a standard plumage for the species

Are buzzards the same king as I’m sure I have seen pieds or white feathers in them

Yes Neil Buzzards are known for having some of the most diverse plumage patterns of any bird of prey.
Some individuals are almost entirely white with dark brown or blackish patches on their wings, head, or flanks, creating a stark, high-contrast look.
They range from completely chocolate brown to nearly all white. Many have a "pale necklace" or white undersides that can look like irregular patching.