Sparrow Hawks hunting in pairs.....

[wizzo]

I've just come in from the garden having witnessed two Sparrow Hawks flanking a small flock of Starlings. It was pandimonium for 10 seconds then Pingeons were dashing to get out of the way. Is this usual, hunting in pairs I mean - Wizzo

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by wizzo

I've just come in from the garden having witnessed two Sparrow Hawks flanking a small flock of Starlings. It was pandimonium for 10 seconds then Pingeons were dashing to get out of the way. Is this usual, hunting in pairs I mean - Wizzo

It is not something I've seen, but I've only seen them regularly out of the breeding season when they seem to go about as individuals. Maybe in the breeding season they hunt in pairs, before the eggs are laid, though they do target different sized species, so it seems a bit unlikely. Once the eggs are laid, which is usually in May, the female spends pretty much all her time on the nest and the male does the hunting. Was it a male and female you saw together? Or two males? If the latter it may be they were having a territorial encounter.

[wizzo]

Hiya SheffLass! Well they were very similar size and I'm guessing it was two males. It was a spectacular sight though! - Wizzo