Checking out my 'new neighbour'

[Night Train]

We usually have a really bad pigeon problem here but recently they have gone. Rumour has it that a bird of prey had been seen. We initially thought that maybe the council had been flying one as pest control but today I managed to get a look at it. There are no tethers so maybe it is a wild one. Don't know what it is though, any thoughts?

This sets the scene.

I then took some photos through my binoculars.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Wow!!!

We usually have a really bad pigeon problem here but recently they have gone. Rumour has it that a bird of prey had been seen. We initially thought that maybe the council had been flying one as pest control but today I managed to get a look at it. There are no tethers so maybe it is a wild one. Don't know what it is though, any thoughts?

This sets the scene.

I then took some photos through my binoculars.

 

[cookiemonster]

It looks like a Kestrel.

There are many examples of those birds setting up nests in urban areas to take advantage of the easy availability of pigeons as an easily caught food supply.

That will also explain the recent lack of pigeons in your area

 

[Night Train]

A Kestral!

It could be, but I have just looked at some photos of Kestrals and they are much lighter in colour. This one is dark Eagle brown all over with no light markings.

 

[cookiemonster]

I've just had another look at the photos and compared it to some of my University Zoology stuff and it looks more like a Peregrine Falcon, which are darker in colour and are also setting up in urban areas. Sorry, my mistake.

Here's a pic that might make things a bit clearer -

http://www.scienceph...pg?id=908320098

 

[Night Train]

I've been looking at Hawk photos and it is definately in that hawk/falcon colouring. No white or red areas visible though. I recon it is standing over a foot tall as those barge boards are at least 12" wide.

 

[Arch]

Peregrine is even more exciting than kestrel I reckon - and it looks big for a kestrel.

Very cool!

 

[Night Train]

Peregrine is even more exciting than kestrel I reckon - and it looks big for a kestrel.

Very cool!

Definately. Need an even more excited smilie for it though.

I think most exciting is with it being wild and not on the council payrole.

We do have some 'strange' neighbours who are not as excited and miss the pigeons.

 

[Arch]

Definately. Need an even more excited smilie for it though.

I think most exciting is with it being wild and not on the council payrole.

We do have some 'strange' neighbours who are not as excited and miss the pigeons.

I suppose you can't eat a peregrine.

Some people just prefer quantity over quality....

 

[Night Train]

I suppose you can't eat a peregrine.

Some people just prefer quantity over quality....

I've never tried Peregrine, had a fair number of pigeons in my time though.

 

[Panter]

A Kestrel won't take pigeons. Peregrines, however, love them

 

[slugonabike]

Are you sure it isn't a buzzard?

 

[Sambu]

aint a buzzard, they rarely take live prey and are bigger! nearly ran over a dopey kestrel sthis morning actually.

 

[Panter]

Another bird that will take Pigeon's is a Sparrowhawk.

 

[bauldbairn]

Nice pics!!!


I wonder what your neighbours thought of your binocular activities around the rooftops????



I was out early the other morning(before 7) and just happened to stop(coincidentally) about 20ft away from a "bird of prey" devouring it's kill/scavenge under a bush at the side of the road - it just looked up at me and got back to eating. I've no idea what it was - dark brown in colour, approx 12" tall - I struggle to tell the smaller birds of prey apart.