sparrowhawk hunting techniques

[almostnormal]

the other day i saw a pair of sparrowhawks sat in a tree (this threw me, i didn't know they did that, i usually see them on telegraph poles or fences). anyway, back to the point, there was a little group of tits and finches in and out of a hedge not far from me, and as i watched the sparrowhawks launched - one down one side of the hedge, and one out of site. when the tit/finch flock saw the first one they were up, only to get got by the other one, which had snuck down the other side of the hedge. does anyone know if this is a standard hunting technique for sparrowhawks?

[Oscar2006]

Originally Posted by almostnormal

the other day i saw a pair of sparrowhawks sat in a tree (this threw me, i didn't know they did that, i usually see them on telegraph poles or fences). anyway, back to the point, there was a little group of tits and finches in and out of a hedge not far from me, and as i watched the sparrowhawks launched - one down one side of the hedge, and one out of site. when the tit/finch flock saw the first one they were up, only to get got by the other one, which had snuck down the other side of the hedge. does anyone know if this is a standard hunting technique for sparrowhawks?

Where did sparrowhawks "sit" before we had telegraph poles? (trees) and fences? (trees?)
I've never witnessed an "allied" attack like this in over 20 years of birdwatching, but I bet soembody else has

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

Where did sparrowhawks "sit" before we had telegraph poles? (trees) and fences? (trees?)
I've never witnessed an "allied" attack like this in over 20 years of birdwatching, but I bet soembody else has

well....i assume in trees. i mean most of me knows that, its just i've never seen one in a tree before! i assumed it was a breeding pair?

[Oscar2006]

I think we all say things without relising exactly what we have said.

I would guess that it is a pair, and can't wait until it is "my turn" to watch a spectacle like you have!

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

I've never witnessed an "allied" attack like this in over 20 years of birdwatching, but I bet soembody else has

This co-ordinated attack is the only explanation I could find for the 4 dove kills we had a while back. My neighbour and I discovered the kills-(well the plucked feathers anyway) 2 per garden and from the freshness of the feathers, at the same time. We have seen two female sparrowhawks within close proximity of each other. One of them is a magnificient looking bird and a first class predator. She launches attacks daily and is a prolific killer. The other female-not so hot but we wondered whether she could be offspring of the first and for some reason tolerated. Watching Mum-do her thing!

jules

[nightshade]

I have only ever seen Sparrowhawks as singletons but I do not see
why they should not co-operate Corvids do

[Kayleigh]

Don't they have to show the young how to hunt?

[almostnormal]

yes. and they do, but i don't think the young birds stay with them this long, and it was definitely two adults, male and female. i wish i'd paid a lot more attention and had a video camera, then you could've had a look! i thought it might be normal behaviour, but it sounds suspiciously like the sparrowhawks round my way are acting a bit odd.....

[great1tnesting]

thiis is most def the case, the 2nd female is a juvenile and in some cases are tolerated but once a rival comes into view then they call loudly and can attack one another. i have seen 2 females in which 1 was a juvenile and the other its mother hunting in the same garden 2 minutes apart.