Kestrel vs. Sparrowhawk - The Showdown (1 Viewer)

[Organicwal]

Hiya All

New to this site....... :t:

Think I could have sold tickets today, I have literally just watched our local Kesterel divebomb a Sparrowhawk that was hopping around our front garden. They then faced off, before the Sparrowhawk hopped off through the hedge onto the path, the Kesterel hopped around the garden a bit then flew off.

Has anyone else seen anything like this before? Is it a common occurance?

Can't wait for the rematch....... :eek!:

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello Organicwal and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

I have never had the opportunity of witnessing a combat between two BOPs but I'll bet you it must have been quite the scene to watch.

We're glad you found us and you might want to have the camera handy in case you get the opportunity to witness something like this again

 

[fishingruddy]

we have had a kestral near us for about two years and it has had a few fledged young, but this month a sparrowhawk has been hunting here. now we have seen less of the kestral, i was wondering if you think they can live close to one another peacefully or would one have to leave?
fishingruddy

 

[Home Bird]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have certainly never witnessed a scene like that--it must have been exciting! Here, a kestral and a sparrowhawk are two names for the same bird. I look forward to reading your updates.

 

[Ant]

Welcome to BF Organicwal from another member in North east Wales.
There are quite a few of us from this part of wales on here.

 

[Organicwal]

The Kestrel and sparrowhawk have both been around here for years, never been a problem for them before. But I suppose it depends on food volume and the type of food available???

 

[Organicwal]

Welcome to BF Organicwal from another member in North east Wales.
There are quite a few of us from this part of wales on here.

Wahooo! I'm in Flintshire (well somebody has to live here). Nice to hear that I have (County) neighbours. :hi:

 

[Ant]

Wahooo! I'm in Flintshire (well somebody has to live here). Nice to hear that I have (County) neighbours. :hi:

If I recall corrctly, there is at least one other member from Flintshire, I cant remember who though.

 

[salty]

hello, welcome to bird forum!

 

[Mark Bruce]

Hi Organicwal,a warm welcome to you and good to have you with us.

 

[SMC2002]

Hello Organicwal and welcome

The only times I see different species of birds of prey fighting each other is during nesting season. I usually see kites, kestrels and merlins drive off larger raptors, from their nesting areas.

Steve

 

[pauliev69]

Hello and welcome to BF

 

[tubeway army]

kestral v pigeon

hi all.....
im new to this forum...looks like an ewsome site.....
i today witnessed a kestral bring down a pigeon....this happend in the outskirts of a shoping centre....i didn't see the actual attack...all a noticed was a pigeon fall to the floor(as i was sitting in my car waitin for my wife to finish shoping).....i thought to myself ..that pigeon has fell off the roof...it was just flapping one wing...then i noticed a maller bird (hard to see against the brick building) i then noticed that the other bird was a kestral...i thought it was a sparrowhawk at first....but then realised it was a kestral....there was a few people walking towards them after doing there shoping....the kestral then flew off...as did the pigeon.....ewsome to watch
take care all
les

 

[Henry B]

Welcome to Birdforum,Les, Sounds more like a Sparrow - Hawk than a Kestrel. I could be wrong though.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola Organicwal! Welcome to BirdForum.

 

[tubeway army]

cheers henry
you may be right it might have been a sparrowhawk...i did notice a hint of red in its feathers..not sure if this helps
take care matey
les

 

[Capercaillie71]

Welcome to birdforum.

I can think of two reasons why kestrels and sparrowhawks might fight. One is competition for food - although kestrels generally feed on mammals and invertebrates, they will take birds, particularly in urban areas, which would put them in direct competition with sparrowhawks. The second reason is that I suppose it is possible that sparrowhawks might prey on kestrels, particularly young ones. Kestrels may therefore view sparrowhawks as a threat.