What bird is that?

[snowyskiesau]

I was sitting down with a coffee taking a break from gardening when I saw what I thought was a white cockatoo about 20 metres away on the top of a group of netted fruit trees. A closer look revealed that it had a still struggling blackbird in its talons - not a cockatoo then, I thought.
The bird was about the size of a white cockatoo, completely white with a black bill. It had an orange area around its bill, not feathers, more a wattle.
It sat there for about 5 minutes until it's prey had stopped struggling and then took off. I didn't have the camera handy - sorry.
I've been through every online resource I could find for Tasmanian birds of prey but couldn't find anything that matched my visitor. Given the wide range of pastimes persued here, I thought I's ask if anyone can identify this bird?

[I'm in Port Huon about 60kms south of Hobart if it helps]

[keni]

I've had a quick look and only found this..although it's not white all over.

http://www.ozanimals.com/Bird/Grey-Goshawk/Accipiter/novaehollandiae.html

is this close..???
Ken.

[snowyskiesau]

Ken,

I'd say that was it. Now you've given me something to go on, a bit of browsing for the Grey Goshawk (http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdimage&bid=575&fid=42&p=3&pagesize=1) shows a white 'morph' that is all white with the orange cere.

Glad it wasn't a sulphur crested cockatoo trying a new diet :D

I must go and buy a book about birds. Given that I'm surrounded by them and that the weather is bad, may as well use the binoculars for other than star gazing.:)

[keni]

Hi Geoff,
Glad to help.I was about to go and start looking for my bird ID book...where ever that is.
You've saved me from a possibly fruitless task.
Had a look at the link too..oh boy that matches your description.

Yes I'm glad it wasn't a cockatoo either.Certainly changes the "polly wanna cracker" view....:P

Ken.

[snowyskiesau]

I look forward to its return, there are far too many blackbirds hanging around my newly planted veggie garden :mad2:

[Baddad]

Blackbirds?
Are they Starlings?

Self Edit: Common Blackbird
I found it, Introduced in 1850's Habitat; Victoria and Tasmania.
Pest: destruction to ground vegetation and vegetable patches.

[AstralTraveller]

No, these sing in the dead of night!:D

Geoff, the Grey/White Goshawk is a pretty rare sighting and I can only remember seeing three. They are pretty skitish around people. The second time was a bit like your experience in that it had just scored. I was driving on the main road to Sydney when this medium-sized white bird flew across the road with a small, furry, and presumably unhappy, creature in its talons. It knew straight away that it was either a Goshawk or a 'Cocky with Attitude'! :P