Help to identify bird of prey

MS35 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 06:27 PM

I've been looking at all of your amazing bird of brey pictures in the Gallery and wonder if you can help identify this bird of prey?

New to the forum and just bought a new digital camera, so was pleased to have this visitor to our garden earlier in the week.

I think it's a kestrel but not sure. can someone let me for know what it is?

Thanks

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 08:06 PM

A male Sparrowhawk- probably the commonest raptor in gardens- certainly mine!

Gaina · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 10:56 PM

Oh what a lovely chap

.

.....I am 100% certain I posted a reply to your initial posting. Hmm, I wonder where it went?

Za · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 11:52 PM

Welcome MS35, looks like your sparrowhawk was just about to get those huge talons into something!

Owl-Light · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 05:27 AM

Welcome to WAB, MS35

Definitely a Male Sparrowhawk. If nothing else the crazy wild eyes are a dead give away

Compare the bird in your photo to this one of a Kestrel taken by WAB member DaiTheDragon.

Well done on getting the shot, he is indeed a handsome chap.
Sheryl

MS35 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 08:38 AM

Thanks all for the help and comments. It wasn't an easy shot to get as he didn't hang around long and I was inside (the glass and tree branches meant I had to switch to manual focus) - just glad i cleaned the windows the week before!

Mig · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 07:38 PM

Ooh. I had me one of them today at lunchtime. I nearly choked on my sandwich when I caught sight of him. Mine's clearly had a few more pork pies than yours...

Perhaps the experts here can educate me. I've a lot of small birds around and feeders too. I assume that's what's bringing the likes of him over? I live on the very outskirts of a small town (almost the country actually). Is this a bountiful time of year for them as regards young prey etc.?

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mig

Perhaps the experts here can educate me. I've a lot of small birds around and feeders too. I assume that's what's bringing the likes of him over? I live on the very outskirts of a small town (almost the country actually). Is this a bountiful time of year for them as regards young prey etc.?

The small birds is what is attracting it yes. The outskirts of towns near rural areas are absolutely perfect habitat for this species. There are no young birds around at the moment though, not even eggs. Its actually a fairly hard time of year with populations of prey quite low in late winter. Late mid-late summer is best when plenty of fledglings are about.