Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Falcon or cuckoo-like, nocturnal bird with long tail and slender, pointed wings. Unmistakable when seen in areas where no other species of nightjars occur, or when singing. Hard to distinguish from Red-necked Nightjar in the field, but smaller size, smaller head compared to body and shorter tail give indications. If plumage is seen clearly, note general tone (grey brown), dark front edge of arm, broader upper wing-bar and small white throat patch.
Sound:Song unique among birds, but quite similar to Mole cricket. A mechanical, continuous slur, like the sound of a distant motorbike. As opposed to the Mole Cricket, it often "shifts gear" by changing pitch to a note approximately a fourth below the drone. Flight call a peculiar "kew-eek", with a nasal and frog-like timbre.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCBulky raptor with long tail and short, rounded wings. Small males may be difficult to separate from large Sparrowhawk females. Upperparts grey-brown, and underparts pale and barred or speckled. Male and female quite similar, but female larger. Juveniles browner than adults, with heavily speckled underparts. Supercilium prominent in both sexes. Bulkier belly and broader at base of tail than Sparrowhawk. Deep chest. Longer wings and longer secondaries gives more of a S-shape to trailing edge of wings. Slightly rounded tail-corners visible when soaring. Flight alternates series of wingbeats with short glides without loosing height.
Sound:Series of short "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke". More resonant, both sharper and deeper pitched than similar call of Sparrowhawk, and much slower. Also a wailing "peeeaaaaw"
Alarm call:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSounds:Recorded by Tomek Tumiel,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license