Decapitated Blackbird (1 Viewer)

[Gordonfelix]

ive in merseyside. i found dead juvenile Blackbird cleanly decapitated in garden. Head is missing. Whatever did it left the rest of the bird. It wasnt a cat as no cats around. Do some raptors just take the head. is this unusual?
just thinking if we can identify likely culprit by the remains of the prey?

 

[fugl]

ive in merseyside. i found dead juvenile Blackbird cleanly decapitated in garden. Head is missing. Whatever did it left the rest of the bird. It wasnt a cat as no cats around. Do some raptors just take the head. is this unusual?
just thinking if we can identify likely culprit by the remains of the prey?

Possibly a Sparrowhawk. See the following:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=124872

 

[charlierocky]

I work where a pair of Peregrines reside and breed. I often come across the head of different birds which is the left over of a Peregrine meal. I think raptors will attempt to dispatch their prey in this manor perhaps to reduce struggle and therefore risk of injury. I suggest that your sparrowhawk did this and then was interrupted before it could eat the bird?

 

[boddie]

I have seen headless pigeons under a tree where I know a sparrowhawk often resides, I don't know why they take the head off, but it's clearly normal behavior.

 

[Gordonfelix]

Thanks for the information. i have had female sparrowhawk charge through garden a few times. on my way home from Preston today just before dark i was lucky to see a raptor fly across the a59 inRufford and charge into a tree aand catch a dove/pigeon in flight by suddenly stopping and turning at the same time. couldnt tell you what the raptor was as it was going dark and happened in a flash . i was very pleased to see a number of birds of prey hunting along the a59 stubble fields.very encouraging.

 

[Peewit]

Sparrowhawks make short work of prey once it is caught. It is decapitated/plucked in seconds! Not seen a head on its own, as I would not like to know to be honest!

I have moved about a bit and have seem some lucky sightlngs of Sparrowhawks. Both times in Scotland!

The first time the Sparrowhawk sat on top of my tall Bird feeder. I have never seen the feeding birds move so quick. Talk about emptying a room.
The Sparrowhawk sat for ages, and the Garden birds stayed away simple as that. 0 to the Spawk and 0 to the Garden birds

The second time the Sparrowhawk suddenly appeared (element of surprise), and took a unexpected swoop at the Blackbirds who where feeding on the ground at the time and just missed catching a Male Blackbird by a small amount. 0 to the Spawk and 0 to the Blackbird.

Yes, Sparrowhawks, they like to make a grand entrance anyday, with the element of surprise! :eek!: