what type of bird???

[glenis]

i live in central london and would love to know what bird i saw in my garden this morning,it was the size of a magpie but looked like a hawk ,with a pinkish breast similar to a chaffinch ,its wings were a chestnut brown like a kestrel .i've looked in my observers book of birds but can't find anything -anyone know what it was?

[Cetti]

Hi glenis, I've just had a delve through my books as I was intrigued by the description. My first thought was a male Sparrowhawk with it's rufous chest, but it does have a blue-grey back and that would have been obvious. Sooo, have a look at a juvenile male Sparrowhawk as that fits the description although the chest is barred. Anyway see what you think, this bird is quite common in gardens everywhere, but still exciting to see!

[bobbobley]

the lesser spotted tiger striped robin

[glenis]

no i don't think it was a sparrowhawk as there wasn't any barrs or stripes (so no it wasn't a lesser spotted tiger striped robin either !!!}

[xyzzy@bok]

a Jay. i seen one - quite noticeable.

[Cetti]

It could be xyzzy, although glenis would have noticed the bright blue wing flash and the whole body of a Jay is pinky beige - nothing like a Kestrel. Still, I hope you're right as I don't have a clue!

[glenis]

thanks you lot anyway ,i'll have to keep my eyes open for it to see if it returns and try and get a better look

[FredPuli]

At least a jay is of the same family as the magpie ( corvidae: crows) ! You don't say what it was doing. Jays take a leisurely hop around the lawn, stopping for the occasional prod into the grass for grubs, seeds etc; they have quite a varied diet, not just one of dead animals. You are not likely to see a sparrowhawk on the ground unless it has just caught prey.