Anyone know what kind of bird this is?

Reezer · 22 Jan 2006 at 14:46

Saw this bird eating a smaller bird in our garden this afternoon, this is the best pic I got of it out of my upstairs window. I think I could probably got outside and maybe a bit closer if nextdoors scabby cat hadn't chased it away (after it crashed into the shed, poor thing...)

(Click for original)

mark35 · 22 Jan 2006 at 15:28

pic not working mate

philio16 · 22 Jan 2006 at 15:39

peregrine falcon

awesome birds!

Carrot · 22 Jan 2006 at 15:58

I'd say it's a Sparrowhawk

glitch · 22 Jan 2006 at 16:11

Looks like a lesser spotted redex to me!

Webby · 22 Jan 2006 at 16:28

Definitely a Sparrowhawk - had one in our garden a few weeks ago.

Reezer · 22 Jan 2006 at 18:07

Thanks.

I'll have to get myself a massive lens to take some proper pics, we get a few rare-ish birds around here...

saddler · 22 Jan 2006 at 18:30

Yup its a male sparrowhawk. Parents had one eat 12 of the 16 sparrows in their garden recently.

King4aDay · 22 Jan 2006 at 18:33

Saddler, surely your sig should read "Gods are not omniscient...", unless you're also assuming that knowledge = power?

Sorry, totally off topic and pedantic!

saddler · 22 Jan 2006 at 19:42

It is based on the assumption that knowledge = power, plus i didnt think many people would know what omniscient meant

woodsy2k · 22 Jan 2006 at 20:47

OO OO OO! i took some pics of a sparrowhawk the other month! it was eating a pigeon in our back garden! I could get to within 6 feet of it as it was eating. You'll find that if its really hungry, then it wont really care how close you get, unless of course, you push your luck!

I took the pics with my Sigma 50-500mm lense. However its a film SLR so i cant post the pics. (no negative/flatbed scanner)