sparrowhawk

[jdurbo]

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

Maybe you mean a plucking perch ? Just as well you typed carefully

[jdurbo]

yes i ment plucking!! silly me jen xxx

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

Yes individual birds do tend to have a favourite spot for defeathering prey - this is most conspicuous when this a fence post or tree stump. You would probably have noticed the stripped feathers if this particular tree had been used previously as a 'stripping post', but it is certainly worth keeping a watch out for the sparrowhawk in future.

CM

[jdurbo]

we have seen it plucking a bird on the post just behind the tree and found feathers in the border just at the side of the tree. seem to be seeing it at least every other day at the moment with or without a bird.. still better him than a cat jen xxx

[jdurbo]

Hi all. Im really interested in this sparrowhawk now, today its had a starling ( know it was a starling by the feathers and the beak that it left behind) this time under the apple tree
Does anyone know if sparrowhawks eat their prey where they catch them or maybe its bringing it to my garden? I will get a pic of it one of these days jen xxx

[jdurbo]

Well seen it again on the apple tree without a bird but looking! surely can't be the same one hungry again it was only about 2 hours since the last one! can it? jen xxx

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Well seen it again on the apple tree without a bird but looking! surely can't be the same one hungry again it was only about 2 hours since the last one! can it? jen xxx

It's probably feeding young somewhere. Is it male or female?

[mrs fish]

They have to feed young and theirselves, your garden is their hunting ground at the moment, they will move on eventually, it is a sight to see

[jdurbo]

I thought it was male but my husband thinks its female i will try and have a really good look next time. a bird book i looked at said the female is bigger than the male but that dont really help me unless i saw a male and female together to see the sizes. I dont mind it leaving feathers but it wasnt a nice mess i had to clear up on wed thank you for your replys jen xxx

[Wild-Woman]

The female is capable of taking the bigger species eg pigeons/doves,because of her larger size.
Have a look to see what feathers are plucked out-not that a female wouldn't take the smaller species of course.

[jdurbo]

From what i have seen its had sparrows and a starling so maybe a male! I will keep my beady eye out and have a look next time it comes to our restaurant jen xxx