Sparrowhawk breakfast id please

[RobinP]

Taken just seconds before the unlucky fellow was plucked off its' perch by a passing Sparrowhawk, unfortunately I wasn't on the bird at the time.

Am I right in thinking Redwing here? It was slightly larger than a robin.

[denn]

i see it as a redwing also. unlucky one at that, very prominent eye stripes is the give away.

[LoveT]

Looks about right for a Redwing to me - they're about the size of a thrush or blackbird.

Poor little fella - still, Sparrowhawks gotta eat!

Thea

[denn]

just another thought, i bet you were gutted you didn't catch it on your camera, still ther's always next time,
denn.

[RobinP]

Originally Posted by denn

just another thought, i bet you were gutted you didn't catch it on your camera, still ther's always next time,
denn.

Yes, very upset I didn't get a pic of the strike, it happened so fast I thought at first it was just a pigeon scaring the redwing away, then I saw the unfortunated bird being carried off. I know they've got to eat but I wish they'd kill their prey first.

[Nicola Main]

Robin the likelihood is the full strike of the Sparrowhawk probably did kill the Redwing outright. Unlike other birds of prey like Peregrines and Hobbies that chase their prey and the prey are in a panic, Sparrowhawks kills hardly feel a thing!

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Nicola Main

Robin the likelihood is the full strike of the Sparrowhawk probably did kill the Redwing outright. Unlike other birds of prey like Peregrines and Hobbies that chase their prey and the prey are in a panic, Sparrowhawks kills hardly feel a thing!

I'm not so sure about that. I would imagine it depends on the size of the prey as to how quickly it 'bumps it off'. Last year I watched a female Sparrowhawk catch a Starling in the garden. It was quick alright, the actual catching, but it took awhile for the Starling to actually die. I watched the spectacle with a mixture of distress and ghoulish glee!

Regards, Chris

[RobinP]

I would also add Peregrine kills are usually immediate, bit like someone dropping a breeze block on your head from the top of a building!

[Muggsy]

if I can throw another factor into the mix.

If the Redwing was carried off, then the Sparrowhawk would have been a female.