What was I looking at?

caspermccormack

I was out in the shed yesterday evening, out the back of the shed is a large park (Landsdowne valley) and it is over run with magpies. I heard a lot of noise coming from the garden next to me and looked out and seen about 50 magpies kaking like mad in a tree, at first I thought it was a cat in the tree but after a while i had seen feathers falling down and could make out a large bird plucking its prey. I was hidden by the leaves on the tree so i couldn't make it out but I try and discribe it as best I can, It was large, very dark colour, yellow beak and a white tail, It cried at the magpies which was like a crow but lasted longer than a crows cry. Looked at some books I have but don't see anything that resembles the one I had seen last night.

Any ideas?

SeaFields

Peregrine falcon maybe? Gorgeous bird of prey.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

The white tail is throwing me a bit but I'd say a Female Sparrowhawk.

A Peregrine would be unlikely to go into a tree to feed.

SeaFields

The yellow beak stood out for me but i suppose its open to debate without a pic.

Actually would have made a great photo. I sat and watched a magpie and young peregrine tussle on the ground for 15 mins last summer before the magpie got free and flew down a field. I found him dead as I walked home. Amazingly this went on as I sat 10 feet away in the grass. The peregrine took no notice bar the odd look in my direction

No camera with me, not even the mobile phone.

caspermccormack

Just going through google images and seen a Harris Hawk
http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/tanya_dewey/harrishawk.jpg/large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/tanya_dewey/harrishawk.jpg/view_large.html&usg=__v4ROt63UCB_e6flDSBS-AU-DYtQ=&h=600&w=574&sz=80&hl=en&start=39&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=c_oEzwIMdE8AdM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dharris%2Bhawk%26start%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enIE340IE340%26ndsp%3D21%26tbs%3Disch:1

It was about 3 times the size of the magpies, and wasn't white on the under belly, just white across the tail, massive big bird,and it wasn't intimidated by the crowd of magpies and dozen crows screaming at it.

caspermccormack

I have to say that I've seen some fantastic species out over the valley over the past few years, all the usual small garden birds, ducks, herions and one night a barn owl landed in a tree just feet from where I was standing.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Aaah! I was thinking about native species. If it's a Harris Hawk then it's an escapee.

caspermccormack

So its not a native bird? Do people breed these for hunting?

Judgement Day

We have a Harris Hawk here in town but it is under control and is allowed out for a feed of feral pigeons every now and then.

caspermccormack

Yeah I'm 99% sure thats what it was. I looked up youtube to see if a video had one calling and its the very same. Delighted to have seen it now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azBrZlzwLbc&feature=related

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

caspermccormack wrote: »

So its not a native bird? Do people breed these for hunting?

No, not at all. They range from South West USA to South America. They are a fairly standard bird to begin falconry with.

caspermccormack

I must get the camera out, same racket again last night, but futher away, And as soon as the bird moves it is followed by gangs of magpies and crows. i don't know if they are chasing it away of looking to get a free meal with the leftover prey? I'll post back if i get a snap of it.