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Message: <blockquote data-quote="halftwo" data-source="post: 1267962" data-attributes="member: 45720">Having watched a variety of raptors over the years I'm convinced that, not only do they change flying style (flap rate & depth, speed, wing shape, general demeanor) deliberately to "pacify" prey, but do it at other times - as if signalling they are not hunting.What they could gain from the latter is difficult to tell - except that it might reinforce the times when they do it to fool.Today, watching Hobbies approach Swallows I saw on both occasions the raptors change their flap rate and depth - increasing the former, decreasing the latter - as if trying to fool the prey by some means.I've also seen raptors - including Sparrowhawk and Hobby affect a casual style - and casually catch prey that were lulled to approach too close.Presumably the sparing use of such tactics retains their effectivenes over time - but only if they are pursuing the same individuals - and, of course, the relative hit rate of the tactic must be lower - otherwise the use of full-on high energy chases would be largely redundant.</blockquote>