humperdingle Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 Was taking out a bag of rubbish this morning, and heard a sustained, shrill screaming noise coming from the back garden. Thinking maybe a bird had been caught by one of the numerous cats around here, I went back in through the house, and looked out of the kitchen window. Screaming was still going on, looked down, and there, right outside the window, was (I think), a sparrowhawk stood on top of a starling, pecking away at it's chest. This is where I had to make a decision... Open the window and scare off the bird of prey, and possibly save the starling, or... Grab the camera And let mother nature take it's course... Anyway, camera in-hand, I managed to get a quick video through the window. Nothing exciting, but it's not every day you get the chance! The hawk only flew off, starling and all when I inched the window open to try to get a decent shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 we used to get it at my mums house, sparrowhawks used to take the neighbours doves in the same way. Hold them down and eat their way in with the bird alive. Nature can be very harsh at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 we used to get it at my mums house, sparrowhawks used to take the neighbours doves in the same way. Hold them down and eat their way in with the bird alive. Nature can be very harsh at times Yeh it seemed to be tearing away at the bird's chest mostly. Perhaps it helps prevent the starling pecking it's eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 Yeh it seemed to be tearing away at the bird's chest mostly. Perhaps it helps prevent the starling pecking it's eyes. That's where most of the meat is. Birds of prey often just eat the breast meat and leave the rest. Bit like us, really Male sparrowhawk, you can tell by the orange breast feathers, females are all grey/white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 I love watching Birds Of Prey! We have several Kestrels on my permission which I often just sit and watch while they are hunting in summer time. Why is it that whenever we are blessed with a sight like this we rarely have a camcorder or camera at hand? Thanks for sharing that with us Humperdingle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deputy dog Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 We got a woodland area which is an ideal ambush area for Sparrow hawks. Though very rarely seen about 15 /20 years back. These days they are quite common and seen often tearing around our lengthy terraced gardens after song birds. Iv been out on the back patio early Sunday mornings having a cupa and a few pieces of toast in the summer. To look down at a song bird happily chirping away in the morning sun. Only to be snatched away in a puff of feathers. I belive they have their favorite hunting area's just like other predators. So i guess my garden and our next door neighbours is that piece of favourite ground. only one has landed in our garden a few years back and i never bothered to get my camera. Perhaps one day i'l get lucky like yourself. Nice short vid that frenchie boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 The missus had seen (I'm assuming) the same bird snatch another bird from a tree a few weeks back. We have 4 large conifers in the back garden, and they're always full of sparrows and starlings (The noise of them cheeping can be pretty loud!) No shortage of food for birds of prey round here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Was taking out a bag of rubbish this morning, and heard a sustained, shrill screaming noise coming from the back garden. Thinking maybe a bird had been caught by one of the numerous cats around here, I went back in through the house, and looked out of the kitchen window. Screaming was still going on, looked down, and there, right outside the window, was (I think), a sparrowhawk stood on top of a starling, pecking away at it's chest. This is where I had to make a decision... Open the window and scare off the bird of prey, and possibly save the starling, or... Grab the camera And let mother nature take it's course... Anyway, camera in-hand, I managed to get a quick video through the window. Nothing exciting, but it's not every day you get the chance! The hawk only flew off, starling and all when I inched the window open to try to get a decent shot! Good video humperdinkle! i remember seeing one catch a starling mid-flight it was awsome to watch! Just a shame how much songbirds they actually do kill tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 5, 2010 Report Share Posted March 5, 2010 Good video humperdinkle! i remember seeing one catch a starling mid-flight it was awsome to watch! Just a shame how much songbirds they actually do kill tho. Very few in fact less than 5% of fatalities proportionaly compared to your average moggie and us in our motor cars.! Food for thought ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Downie Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a great video - well done - but I don't mind saying I'm a wee bit traumatised by it! I don't have a problem with depatching game, or seeing it being killed (preferably quickly), and I'm always impressed by raptors, but jeez - imagine being able to see but not reach the beast that's eating you alive? ****! I know it's only a starling and probably doesn't think like that, but still... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a great video - well done - but I don't mind saying I'm a wee bit traumatised by it! I don't have a problem with depatching game, or seeing it being killed (preferably quickly), and I'm always impressed by raptors, but jeez - imagine being able to see but not reach the beast that's eating you alive? ****! I know it's only a starling and probably doesn't think like that, but still... No you're right actually. I was quite excited by actually seeing this first hand when it was happening. Having watched it back, though, it's pretty gruesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Great video. Well done. I know what you mean though. Your heart goes out to the poor little begger being eaten alive. I was lucky enough to witness a very similar thing in the middle of London one day. Sparrowhawk with blackbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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