Has a sparrowhawk visited us? (1 Viewer)

Jaysan

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2019

• #1

Hi. We feed birds in our garden. Mostly Goldfinches this year. But it has attracted a lot of pigeons which clear the mess left behind.

Came home to find a dead pigeon, with feathers scattered everywhere. The next morning, the pigeons are back, but very skittish. A magpi has also been alarm calling near the dead body.

Guess we have had a Sparrow hawk visit us? However since its a recently built up area, there arent many trees and hence not much cover. Wonder how it could have caught the pigeons by surprise.

 

Jaysan

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2019

• #2

Some images of the scene

Ive now uploaded some images of the scene. The image in the middle is right next to the bird feeders. I guess the bird was dragged to the apple tree where it was plucked and eaten.

 

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  Pigeon1.jpg

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  Pigeon2.jpg

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  Pigeon 3.jpg

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A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2019

• #3

Probably the work of a Sparrowhawk. Perhaps swooping over the building + taking them by surprise. A fairly common urban predator.

 

Jaysan

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2019

• #4

Cheers. As I thought. Next target to catch sight of the bird

 

K

King Edward

Well-known member

• Mar 9, 2019

• #5

I agree - looks classic for Sparrowhawk victim. Check the pointed ends of the feathers - should be intact (plucked out) not chewed off (cat/fox).

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 10, 2019

• #6

Jaysan said:

A magpi has also been alarm calling near the dead body.

Click to expand...

Justifiably cautious, in case the Sparrowhawk returns, but also with its eye on that booty it wants to steal from the Sparrowhawk :t:

 

Jaysan

Well-known member

• Mar 10, 2019

• #7

Thanks guys.