This just in: Killing and carnage in the immediate vicinity of Hexenhäusli Device!
This sparrowhawk kestrel(?) caught one of the song birds that was visiting the birdfeeder in the garden here. Unfortunately, Beaky wasn't the victim.
Normal service resumes here.
Such a beautiful creature... We've had one killing since we've been here (a wood pigeon unfortunately, not a squirrel), but sparrowhawks aren't a regular fixture in this vicinity, more's the pity! Jx
ReplyDeleteI think I've misidentified it. I rather think this is a kestrel (young male, perhaps?) rather than a sparrowhawk as it has dark eyes rather than yellow/orange, a white tip to the tail feathers, and that dark vertical bar under the eyes. Rare in gardens, but perhaps the cold and abundance of prey drew it here?
DeleteI've just looked at the RSPB site, and you are correct - it is a kestrel. Difficult to tell scale from those photos, but the kestrel is tiny in comparison to a sparrowhawk. As for "rare in gardens", I believe your environs are rather less-than-urban... Jx
DeleteMy Hawk went after and got Bouvier the squirrel here one day. But before launching from the branch, another squirrel leaped on him...and between the two squirrels, they were quite attacking the hawk. I would swear the one looked as if it was gnawing the hawks foot off!!!! Nature drama! But both squirrels reported for nuts the next morning.
DeleteThis definitely wasn't a big raptor, Jon - well, compared with that mangled tit or finch it is - and the markings (especially the tail feather bands) fit a kestrel better than a sparrowhawk.
DeleteMaddie, I'm glad to hear that Bouvier had a daring rescue - even if your hawk had to find another meal elsewhere.
I have no clue what's the tit killer's name, I call them all Bussard.
ReplyDeleteThe buzzards around here are MUCH bigger!
DeleteOHHHHHHH DEAR!
ReplyDeleteMy hawk has been active to of late. He's caught on to my window sill feeding and swopes down and has gotten some of the smaller birds. But the Blue Jay will attack him in numbers if there present.
The crows and magpies here normally see off the buzzards, but I think they were all sheltering from the wind when this killing occured.
DeleteA kestrel was the first bird I released from rehab.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you're right in the weather and availability of food being the reason he snagged the meal. Kestrels are ace hovering birds and prefer to drop from above.But with your weather...carpe diem.
Now that she's had one relatively easy meal, I'm sure she'll be back for more.
DeleteYou used to work in bird rehab? Was that here or in Aus/NZ?
After the hideous day I've lived through, I pop in here for DEATH?
ReplyDeleteApologies, Norma. Perhaps the previous post will be more suitable?
DeleteWe should recall that Norma recently brought us DOOM.
DeleteAnd news of Minneapolis's clone army.
DeleteOur birds of prey take a sinister turn in Winter as they perch on the telephone poles and glare at you as you pass by, making the landscape seem even more bleak. I will try to get some photos - probably next Winter.
ReplyDeleteI know your Kestrel is ripping a Tit to pieces, but hasn't it got a cute face?!
Sx
It is rather adorable. It's those big eyes, I think - like Anime/Manga faces.
DeleteMud, rain, wind, and now birds-of-prey? Devon sounds almost as deadly as Australia. You must feel like Tippi Hedren!
Nature at its best? xoxo
ReplyDeleteRed in tooth- uh, I mean, beak and claw.
DeleteAn aldabra rail appeared in the courtyard the other day. One of the Chinese people's cats immediately ensured it became extinct again.
ReplyDeleteHow unfortunate. Still, they managed to de-extinctify themselves once, perhaps they can do it again. Only somewhere without cats, perhaps?
DeleteNature's pecking order. I had a pair of Cooper's Hawks for years that protected my cherry tree from rock doves and crows, but then one Spring a bald eagle came and killed his mate. He stayed with me for a short time afterwards. Genuine grieving I would say. He stayed close to me like never before. Even went on the dog walk with me through the neighborhood a few times. Awkwardly hoping along the low branches. Then he found a new misses, but she wouldn't stay here. She picked her nesting site over towards the crest of a nearby hill. He flies a little extra wide on his patrols sometimes to come and visit me.
ReplyDeleteWow! That must have been both sad and comforting - for both of you!
DeleteMagnificent creatures.
ReplyDeleteAren't they?!
DeleteMind your fingers, though...