This bird is currently having a snack in the back garden.

bobbysands81

Anyone know what it is?

https://twitter.com/bobbysands81/status/1356639913559662598?s=21

magicbastarder

sparrowhawk.

Joe_ Public

It has just ripped some poor unfortunate creature to shreds, thats some mess of feathers around the place!

Yes a Sparrowhawk, the wings are shorter than a peregrine's. Also prey plucked and eaten where killed, the Peregrine will try to fly to some high place, then you get a mini snowstorm of feathers below.

bobbysands81

Joe_ Public wrote: »

It has just ripped some poor unfortunate creature to shreds, thats some mess of feathers around the place!

Yeah, it’s a decent sized pigeon that is no more.

I scared him off by accident, is it likely to come back to continue to feed?

Edit - He’s back feeding now.

fryup

never seen a sparrowhawk around my way, what part of the country are you in OP?

bobbysands81

fryup wrote: »

never seen a sparrowhawk around my way, what part of the country are you in OP?

Wexford.

lucalux

Would ye think that's a male?
I know the wimmins of the sparrowhawk are much more brown, with the menfolk being more bluey/grey on their back

Beautiful birds, with mainly yellow, sometimes orange or even red eyes

Tiercel Dave

lucalux wrote: »

Would ye think that's a male?
I know the wimmins of the sparrowhawk are much more brown, with the menfolk being more bluey/grey on their back

Beautiful birds, with mainly yellow, sometimes orange or even red eyes

Female. They are both a similar colour as they age but the male gets an orange look about the breast feathers. The eyes, as you say, become a richer colour too. A male wouldn't be able to tackle a Pigeon. Female flies at about 11 1/2 ozs, male'd be just over 6.....

Tom Mann Centuria

Lovely looking bird.

lucalux

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Female, a male wouldn't be able to tackle a Pigeon. She flies at about 11 1/2 ozs, he'd be just over 6.....

Thank you, all the squinting in the world wasn't helping me figure it out with nothing for size reference

Have only seen the females in flight, or at a kill, they're some sight to see in hot pursuit!

barney 20v

lucalux wrote: »

Thank you, all the squinting in the world wasn't helping me figure it out with nothing for size reference

Have only seen the females in flight, or at a kill, they're some sight to see in hot pursuit!

I'm also in wexford and these are a common sight this last year or two in the enniscorthy area and out through Caim Area also.
Anyone local who wants to see them will find them near kiltrae sitting on telephone poles etc

Tiercel Dave

barney 20v wrote: »

.....will find them near kiltrae sitting on telephone poles etc

Are you sure they're not Buzzards you're seeing, Sparrowhawks are very secretive most of the time.....

kildare lad

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Are you sure they're not Buzzards you're seeing, Sparrowhawks are very secretive most of the time.....

Only ever seen a sparrowhawk twice . See buzzards everyday.