hawk crops

[John Chardine]

While out today I heard a commotion caused by crows mobbing a juvenile Goshawk. I quickly removed the rig from the Mongoose head (it was a little higher than water level after ducks) and quickly ran off three images, hand-held of course. I was pleased with the sharpness even with this heavy crop but I had not realised that the image shows that the bird has just eaten something. Notice how the crop sticks out very prominently in the lower neck area.

I am reminded of an earlier thread here, started by Fabs on Caracara distended crops. I hadn't realised that other "hawks" show this also. Have a look here:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15478

Anyway, FYI. Any other observations of this in "hawks"?

Canon EOS 40D, 500mm f4, 1.4 tcII = 700mm
capture date: Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:40:55 PM
exposure program: Manual
ISO speed: 640
shutter speed: 1/800
aperture: f5.6
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: OFF

[Roy Priest]

I am reminded of an earlier thread here, started by Fabs on Caracara distended crops. I hadn't realised that other "hawks" show this also. Have a look here:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15478

Anyway, FYI. Any other observations of this in "hawks"?


All hawks will show a distended crop as will most birds of prey except owls as they have no crop.

[John Chardine]

Thanks for the info.