Unidentified bird of prey kill

[mham73]

I found this carcass in the office car park this morning and thought it looked like a bird of prey killed by another bird of prey?

I've asked to see the CCTV footage but in the menatime wondered if anyone had any ideas?

Cheers
Maurice

[htcdude]

Looks like a Kestrel (or Sparrowhawk, I can never tell!) and may have gotten by a cat, they like to sever heads of their prey.

Nige

[mham73]

Yep I thought Kes or Sparrowhawk, I see both fairly regularly since they knocked down the old Central Middlesex Hospital near Hanger Lane in London. My office faces the old site next to the new hosptial and it'll be a shame when they eventually build on it because the birds love it

I'm convinced I've seen a peregine fly right past my window and we get plenty of dead pigeons so I was hoping it may be that that took it, would love to prove there are peregrines here!

Cheers
M

[htcdude]

I don't disbelieve you for one second there are Peregrines around, there's numbers around various sites in and on the suburbs on London.

Looking at the photo again I would say this is female Kestrel. I don't think a Peregrine would've killed it, there's so much more easier prey around for them I don't think they'd bother with all the effort

Nige

[mham73]

I'm guessing kes's are fairly territorial, in which case it would be a shame if this is 'my' kes, as it were, but hey ho!