Do Buzzards take Sparrows

[Kayleigh]

Do Buzzards take Sparrows

I was In my kitchen when a Buzzard flew around my Spiky tree where the Sparrows live. The local Sparrowhawk targets the tree on a regular basis but I have never seen a Buzzard come so close to the garden.
Could it have been after a Sparrow? The only thing I have seen them take is rabbits from the fields where I walk my dog.

[aeshna5]

I don't think they would be a regular prey item as they are not that substantial + wouldn't be that easy to catch- but if any oppurtunity arose I'm sure the Buzzard would take one. They regularly take small items such as earthworms from fields, etc.

[Gill Catton]

Found this:

Taken from the BWP on CD-ROM: copyright Oxford University Press.

Birds usually less substantial part of diet, though important in places, e.g. New forest (England). In summer, mainly nestlings and just-fledged young, occasionally adults: chiefly Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, thrushes (Turdidae), crows (Corvidae), tits (Paridae), finches (Fringillidae), buntings (Emberizidae), larks (Alaudidae), and woodpeckers (Picidae), also sometimes nidifugous young, e.g. of Pheasant Phasianus colchicus, Partridge Perdix perdix, domestic fowl Gallus.

[HARIMAU1610]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I don't think they would be a regular prey item as they are not that substantial + wouldn't be that easy to catch- but if any oppurtunity arose I'm sure the Buzzard would take one. They regularly take small items such as earthworms from fields, etc.

I have seen footage of Buzzards catching and eating earthworms near m25 on the way into Bristol. I was amazed at the size of the worms..........not a bad snack

Ian

[zharca]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Could it have been after a Sparrow? The only thing I have seen them take is rabbits from the fields where I walk my dog.

oooh Kayleigh, have you seen him lately?








.......sorry, couldn't resist........

[brainfarmer]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Do Buzzards take Sparrows

I was In my kitchen when a Buzzard flew around my Spiky tree where the Sparrows live. The local Sparrowhawk targets the tree on a regular basis but I have never seen a Buzzard come so close to the garden.
Could it have been after a Sparrow? The only thing I have seen them take is rabbits from the fields where I walk my dog.

dont most preds take what is available and catchable and also develop behaviour that is specific to the environment and prey. i know owls in the uk are seen as preying on small ground dwelling mammals but i would imagine they could take birds aswell.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by brainfarmer

dont most preds take what is available and catchable and also develop behaviour that is specific to the environment and prey. i know owls in the uk are seen as preying on small ground dwelling mammals but i would imagine they could take birds aswell.

To a degree you're right, but it boils down to energy involved in obtaining food in relation to energy gained from it. Though Buzzards will take small birds if available, they are not particularly adapted to chase after small birds- so more likely to take inexperienced or sick birds- they haven't the manoueveribility of say a Sparrowhawk or Merlin to chase small birds.

Tawny + Long-eared Owls both regularly take birds. Tawny Owls though mainly a rodent catcher; in places will take many birds + have been recorded taking frogs, invertebrates + even fish!

[almostnormal]

buzzards are a bit of a lazy bird of prey, and are more likely to take carrion than actively chase prey. they do hunt, but they usually only take birds if an easy oppurtunity presents itself.

[zharca]

Hi, yes I think, as has already been said, Buzzards are in the "heavy transport" league and really aren't agile or maneouverable enough to regularly take small birds low down, particulary flitting around trees and bushes. Watching them get mobbed, they're easily outflown by gulls and crows (hardly athletic fliers themselves!) and once they get close to the ground and lose speed they seem to struggle to gain height again.

Apart from the fact that they seem to like the easy option of rummaging around for worms and stuff or yummy dead things, I think their real hunting is more based on dive-and-strike where the weight and power behind those feet is pretty devastating for the unwary bunny.

[Kayleigh]

They seem to hang around the tops of tall trees where I live so they may take the crows young. The buzzard seemed to look around my tree then fly off. Only to come back later being mobbed by a couple of crows. They live not far from my house on farmland with wooded areas.
I saw 5 high over my house yesterday.