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Pied sparrowhawk
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2025 2:45 pm
by 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?
Re: Pied sparrowhawk
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2025 3:13 pm
by 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
Re: Pied sparrowhawk
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2025 4:19 pm
by Steve Howells
Diamond Dave wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 2:45 pm
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
Re: Pied sparrowhawk
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2025 4:30 pm
by king
NeilA wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 3:28 pm
king wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 3:13 pm
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.