Jackdaw taking an adult starling?

[vole-woman]

I was just taking some fat-balls out to the feeder this morning when I saw a jackdaw flying off with another (live) bird in its mouth. It all happened very quickly, but my impression was that the bird was a starling and the jackdaw had picked it off our feeder. Is that likely? I knew jackdaws would take baby birds, but not that they'd swoop down on an adult of such size.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I was just taking some fat-balls out to the feeder this morning when I saw a jackdaw flying off with another (live) bird in its mouth. It all happened very quickly, but my impression was that the bird was a starling and the jackdaw had picked it off our feeder. Is that likely? I knew jackdaws would take baby birds, but not that they'd swoop down on an adult of such size.

Could it have been a baby blackbird picked out of a nest? This would be usual corvid behaviour, I'd be suprised if a Jackdaw could catch an adult starling as they are so quick witted (its not impossible though)

[Tursiops2]

I don't know about Jackdaws, but I've seen a Carrion Crow take a Starling, and a Jay take a Bluetit. Both were opportunistic kills, as opposed to purposeful hunting. I can well imagine a Jackdaw taking the same opportunity if it arose, particularly if the Starling was an inexperienced youngster.
T2

[earthdragon64]

I've seen Jackdaws taking adult Siskins, and all of the small birds stay well away from them. Starlings are wary and watchful of them, but I've not seen a Jackdaw try for a Starling, maybe if the Starling was injured it would be a different story though.

[vole-woman]

That's interesting, thanks. I didn't see the kill, just the jackdaw flying off with the starling-sized bird struggling in its beak.

[aeshna5]

I watched a Jackdaw unsuccessfully attempt to grab a flying Starling this evening.

[vole-woman]

Gosh. I suspect, if I did see it right, that the starling had been feeding with its head in a coconut and that's how the jackdaw had snaffled it.