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Who was the victim ?

 
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SandraR



Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 2346
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 6:37 pm    Post subject: Who was the victim ? Reply with quote
    

It looks like a sparrow hawk kill, but who was the victim? Thankfully not one of our hens as we first thought.






Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Without knowing the size of the feathers I would say a redwing or robin.

earthyvirgo



Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Looks like the colours of a jay?

EV

LynneA



Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 4893
Location: London N21
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Any chance it was a duck? Widgeon or Pochard would fit the colour scheme.

bagzi



Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 84

PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Probably Redwing.

SandraR



Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 2346
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 10 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks all.. I think Redwing...too big for a robin - just panicked ..at first we thought one of our game birds but they are accounted for.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 10 5:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thrushes seem to be their favourite prey, blackbirds particularly, which is why I said redwing, but they will kill anything small enough.
Never seen them hunt anything bigger than a thrush.

SandraR



Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 2346
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 10 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

If I had thought about it rationally I should have worked it out sooner. There have been a small flock of Redwing in the hedgerow close to where the feathers were found and to where the Sparrowhawk has been seen hunting. It's just that I have two new young light Indian game pullets that are free ranging in the same place....saw the redish feathers and for a second my heart stopped. But as you say they are realistically a little on the large side for a Sparrowhawk.
Thanks.

bagzi



Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 84

PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 10 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It's surprising what a Sparrowhawk especially the larger Female will take. In the Summer months I reguarly lose young pullets to them up to 10-12 weeks old and throughout the year they take a lot of My white Pigeons. Theres a small stand of Conifers behind the House where every year I have a pair of Sparrowhawks and a pair of Buzzards nest. I lose Birds to both but I live with it!

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