Weasel taking a sparrow

LayLad · #1 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 08:43 PM

Last weekend we witnessed a bizarre spectacle in the back garden.

We live on the edge of our village and feed the birds in our garden which borders onto open land. We have a resident colony of around 50 house sparrows.

Out of the blue, our 9-year old claimed he'd seen a weasel run across the lawn. He loves his wildlife, but we did take his claim with a pinch of salt. A few minutes later, we noticed the sparrow flock gathering in one of the trees, making quite a racket and all facing the same way, in towards the fence. They looked a bit like spectators at a football match!

We couldn't see what they were looking at, but then all of a sudden the tiny weasel shot out across the lawn carrying a sparrow in its jaws, which seemed almost as big as the weasel itself.

I've since read that apparently members of the weasel family can do "crazy dances" to seduce prey - maybe that's what was grabbing the attention of all the sparrows.

dunlin · #2 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 10:07 PM

The sparrows where probably reacting to a predator amongst there midst. If you put food out for birds at a feeding station you have to accept your also going to attract the creatures that prey on them.

Many people are shocked when sparrowhawks turn up to help them selves to a bit of food but they must see it as a feeding station as well as the other birds.
regards mark..........

Picidae · #3 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunlin

The sparrows where probably reacting to a predator amongst there midst... Many people are shocked when sparrowhawks turn up to help them selves to a bit of food but they must see it as a feeding station as well as the other birds.

That would be the Weasel then (the one that was seen running across the lawn with a sparrow it had predated). (From the bird of prey family known as 'mustelids'

)

An unusual garden sighting Laylad and well done for the observation skills of your Son!

Cotham Marble · #4 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LayLad

I've since read that apparently members of the weasel family can do "crazy dances" to seduce prey - maybe that's what was grabbing the attention of all the sparrows.

This WAB post gives a link to a video of a stoat behaving in the way 'crazy dancing' is often described: Video: Crazy stoat - with a twist!

The thread covers various reasons for the 'dancing', although there seems no evidence that it helps in catching prey.

CM