Sparrow Halk ~ Accipiter nisus ~ A top predator ! A British Bird of Prey UK
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RSPB “As a top predator, sparrowhawks can only thrive if their prey – in this case songbirds – is present in good numbers and has a healthy population… Sparrowhawks don’t specialise in particular species, but take whatever is available and easy to catch. As a result, the most frequently caught birds are numerous and conspicuous, or are sick, old, weak or injured. The female takes prey up to wood pigeon size, but the smaller male does not catch anything bigger than the mistle thrush. In summer, about 40% of a sparrowhawk’s diet is fledglings. They employ many hunting techniques, depending on the habitat and prey. They are not built for stamina and long chases, though they have the ability to manoeuvre in pursuit better than any other raptor. In order to be successful they have to be able to approach their prey closely and undetected. The usual flying speed is 30-40 kph, but a sparrowhawk is capable of up to 50 kph in short bursts. Hunting sparrowhawks can be so focussed on their task that they put themselves at risk of harm from collisions. Because they’re quite easily seen, and small birds will give warning calls to each other, only about one attack in ten results in capture. Simon *Birder* Knott ~Wild Birds UK ~ British Bird and Wildlife Videos ***************************************************************************** Feed Garden Birds ~ RSPB Suet cake, Black Sunflower Seeds, Nuts, Fat, Fruit & Water Simbird.com ~ My bird website is at simbird.com google * simbird …


Hummingbirds are fun, entertaining, full of energy and it’s easy to attract hummingbirds.
