House Sparrows Hunting Cicadas!

[Adam C]

Have noticed twice in the last few days sparrows very aggressively hunting down cicadas! Awesome to watch! The Sparrows would perch on a high branch and then swoop down on the lumbering cicadas and literally smash them out of the sky. Like a miniture version of perrigrines hunting pigeons!They would then chase them to the ground and enjoy the very substantial meal!!

Anyone else noticed this kind of aggressive hunting tactics by small passarines on such large prey!?

[Adam C]

Watching again today it seemed to be only one male that had learned to attack the big cicadas. All the other sparrows would have a go once the male was down on the ground with the prize in his beak but hadnt summed up the courage to have a go at them in mid air as this male has done.