Romany 1,065 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Nice images matie.. Its operatioin sparrowhawk for me today Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I flew one for a season didnt really have the expiarence though truth be told, found her hard work.....By then though i was totally addicted to the dogs so stopped flying the birds. they are not the easiest to fly thats for sure, but when done properly they are one of the most rewarding, must admit i moved onto dogs after but that was well over 30 years ago old b*stard i was in my late teens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ferretgirl79 200 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I wish I could get pics like that,thanks for sharing,great pics. x Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,398 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Nice , theres loads of pigeons at the feeders in the garden's at the minute Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenny14 656 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Good pics. And Bird feeders = Sparrowhawk heaven! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lab 10,979 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
whippet 99 2,613 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 nice shots there....................................have you been shooting out your window with the air gun by any chance.....................? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenny14 656 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lab 10,979 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenny14 656 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... yeh, only the smaller prey gets taken to plucking perches though. (you're probably aware that it can be rewarding if you wait near one of these perches with your camera ) And when on the ground, Cats, Dogs, Foxes would all take a Spar. I've seen Peregrines take Kestrels, so I dare say they'd take Spars too, as will Gosshawks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lab 10,979 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... yeh, only the smaller prey gets taken to plucking perches though. (you're probably aware that it can be rewarding if you wait near one of these perches with your camera ) And when on the ground, Cats, Dogs, Foxes would all take a Spar. I've seen Peregrines take Kestrels, so I dare say they'd take Spars too, as will Gosshawks. Oh theres no doubt all these things would have a go but i'd imagine its few and far between. And less so on the hen bird.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenny14 656 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... yeh, only the smaller prey gets taken to plucking perches though. (you're probably aware that it can be rewarding if you wait near one of these perches with your camera ) And when on the ground, Cats, Dogs, Foxes would all take a Spar. I've seen Peregrines take Kestrels, so I dare say they'd take Spars too, as will Gosshawks. Oh theres no doubt all these things would have a go but i'd imagine its few and far between. And less so on the hen bird.... I maybe should've said threaten rather than take, 'cos I originally meant these were probably reasons to make a Spar hurry and eat what it can before the prey's dead Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lab 10,979 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... yeh, only the smaller prey gets taken to plucking perches though. (you're probably aware that it can be rewarding if you wait near one of these perches with your camera ) And when on the ground, Cats, Dogs, Foxes would all take a Spar. I've seen Peregrines take Kestrels, so I dare say they'd take Spars too, as will Gosshawks. Oh theres no doubt all these things would have a go but i'd imagine its few and far between. And less so on the hen bird.... I maybe should've said threaten rather than take, 'cos I originally meant these were probably reasons to make a Spar hurry and eat what it can before the prey's dead Get it right Kenny eh ffs................. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 most birds of prey will try to kill another bird of prey on sight, bigger usually killing the smaller, goshawks do kill sparrowhawks and owls, ive seen a peregrine take a kestrel from mid hover. sparrowhawks will usually pluck and break through to the brain on larger prey, they are a bird specialist with an elongated third toe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kenny14 656 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Is there a reason why they dont kill the bird outright and decide to eat them when they are still alive? Or is this a trait in younger birds learning how to catch its own food?... Some of the falconry lads might be able to answer that best, but I'm it's definitely not just younger birds learning, and I think Sparrowhawks feet are designed more for catching and holding rather than puncturing and killing, therefore as soon as bigger prey is immobilised they start to eat it. Also why waste energy killing when it can eat it alive? And time spent on the ground with prey they can't lift, is time when they're most vulnerable to other predators? I've always just wondered why they do that and probably another reason i'm not to keen on them. Have they got any predators really? There very good at positioning what they've killed on tree stumps or higher vantage points. When they catch in the woods its a tell tale sign of them.... yeh, only the smaller prey gets taken to plucking perches though. (you're probably aware that it can be rewarding if you wait near one of these perches with your camera ) And when on the ground, Cats, Dogs, Foxes would all take a Spar. I've seen Peregrines take Kestrels, so I dare say they'd take Spars too, as will Gosshawks. Oh theres no doubt all these things would have a go but i'd imagine its few and far between. And less so on the hen bird.... I maybe should've said threaten rather than take, 'cos I originally meant these were probably reasons to make a Spar hurry and eat what it can before the prey's dead Get it right Kenny eh ffs................. Sorry , I should be more specific......... Threatened Taken. Edited October 2, 2012 by kenny14 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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