Sparrowhawk question

[FUDGEY]

Do they eat carrion?

[aeshna5]

I don't think it's very common- they normally feed on their own kills, but Ian Newton's monograph on the species says that the only evidence was of individuals poisoned from meat baits put out by gamekeepers.

Interestingly all 7 victims that came to his attention were females, so perhaps they have a greater propensity to this, given their greater nutritional demands.

[FUDGEY]

Thanks aeshna5, Im renaming you Oracle, you know everything Thanks for reply on Bittern question too

[faz]

as a genral rule spars wont eat carrion but if food scarce or hunting as not gone well ? then yes they would eat carrion i have never seen it but if it is the differance for a meal or not

[Acipiter]

It depends on how you define carrion? they return to eat kills, that they have previously have killed, and ones that they had stored away. And ones that have been poisoned, ask any taxidermist and they will tell you, a small proportion still turn up from time to time.

[Farplace]

On the few occasions when we have had an injured sparrowhawk at the rescue centre, they have eaten freshly dead road-kill birds. They are not the easiest raptors to look after.

[Acipiter]

That is true is farplace, despite this fact they are still keep by people how do not have the expert knowledge of looking after these birds, who are prone to throwing fits, particularly when they are in the moult.