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The brown back and brown front indicate it could be a young male, maybe even raised by the mature male which lasted visited the garden back in October last year (http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.com/2010/10/birds-of-prey.html).
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Judging the pile of feathers, it seems to have successfully mastered the skill of hunting and from the remains, it seems it's victim is a house sparrow or a dunnock.
What is interesting is the complete lack of bones and internal organs, just feathers - the sparrowhawk had consumed it all.
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What is also surprising was nonchalant it appeared, occasionally looking up as it devoured it's unfortunate victim for several minutes and then giving a glimpse of some seldom seen behaviour before leaving:
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Sparrowhawk ballet...it might work... :D
ReplyDeleteGreat Photo's. I have seen him twice in the garden during Aug/Sept, the pyracantha has been a favourite for the sparrows this year and I counted over 30 at one stage.
ReplyDeleteSparrowhawk Ballet? Interesting, not sure there is a market for it outside of Chris Packham.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the Hawk Conservancy Trust probably have the closet thing to it.
Hi Julicu,
ReplyDeleteGreat news on the sparrows, our pyracantha has no way been as popular as yours and we have had to resort to bird feeders to attract sparrows (and the subsequent sparrowhawk) to our garden.