Richard and Jo Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 A Kestrel caught a small starling right outside our front window this morning and proceeded to pluck it alive in front of us - we decided to leave it alone as it is nature in action - a bit grim though. I think a chicken would be too big for a Kestrel. Our neighbours said they saw a sparrowhawk take a wood pidgeon form their garden. Has anyone had any attacks from above on their chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 That sounds a bit grim - but you're right, nature at work..... We haven't had any problems here - but it sounds like you're much further into the country than I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 We had a tread about this some while ago. I'll see if I can locate it for you. Be assured that there is no danger to your chooks from kestrels. Have a look at these threads: 1 Kestrels 2 Birds of Prey 3 Kestrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Thanks LJ for tracking down those threads about raptors and hens LJ is absolutely right about full grown hens being at no risk from the common British raptors. They may run for cover if they see one, some do the same with kites overhead , but this is an instinct and they are in no danger at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 My hens shout EAGLE when the see an aeroplane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Margot is certainly so large she would need to be attacked by a terridactyl (spelling?!?!?!) to get her off the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 The kestrel was about 5 feet away from us. They are a lovely colour. He struggled to lift the small starling into the hedge so he would have no chance with chooks. The sparrowhawk with a wood pidgeon worried me a bit as they are pretty big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clare* Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Something very large swooped down today at my girls in the garden. They both gave a very loud squawk and it just flew away as quick as it came. I don't know what it was. Brown is all I can say and big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 We had an eagle owl appear 10 miles down the road (it made the local news) and those birds are big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Our friends have a perfect silhouette of an owl on their lounge window where it flew into the glass - there was a similar picture in the Metro recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I saw something like that in a newspaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Something very large swooped down today at my girls in the garden. They both gave a very loud squawk and it just flew away as quick as it came. I don't know what it was. Brown is all I can say and big Is it possible it was a Great Bustard? (no funny comments please!) They are being re-introduced, I think and the numbers are increasing. We have a Sparrowhawk who likes to come visit and sit on our beanpoles. I always know when he's around because it goes completely bird-silent outside - no chooks, budgies in the neighbours aviary, wild birds: nothing. the girls stand stock still and stare at him staring at them. then he takes off and thats that. Gorgeous bird, though, really magnificent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 I saw something like that in a newspaper. Sorry Martin - The Metro is a free newspaper but only in london - must have been in one of the big papers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Yer it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
236 OCU Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I have recently joined the forum and have just come across the comments regarding the problem with Raptors etc. With reference to the Kestrel and the Starling - I doubt it was a Kestrel, because it is only about twice the size of a Starling, so would have difficulty making a kill. they occasionally chase small birds like Blue Tits but their normal diet is small insects and voles which is why you see them hovering by the side of roads etc. The perpetrator is more likely to have been a Sparrowhawk. I had one take a Starling in my garden last year and then stayed for almost an hour while it plucked then ate it . Admittedly a bit gruesome, but it is natural - at least for them! (I do have photographs if you would like to see them). The only raptors, in this country, that could be a threat to Chickens would be the larger Eagles or Owls (e.g. Golden or White Tailed Eagle or Eagle Owl) Most of the other raptors - kites and buzzards are mainly carrion eaters. How sad do I sound - but that's what happens when you have an interest in birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Not sad at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 You'd get on well with my hubby Paul. He loves birds and spends hours looking at them out of the kitchen window! Give him birds ovr football any day We get regular visits from Sparrow hawks here, and have recently had a family of Jays move in. Lovely looking birds, but aren't they spiteful! I'm sure I saw them pinching something from a nest the other day...hope it wasn't an egg I'd agree with the bird being a sparrow hawk, after seeing them act up in our garden, they are rather fierce, but I've never seen a wild kestral close up so have no idea what they are capable of really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard and Jo Posted June 2, 2006 Author Share Posted June 2, 2006 With reference to the Kestrel and the Starling - I doubt it was a Kestrel, because it is only about twice the size of a Starling, so would have difficulty making a kill It was a Kestrel - the starling was a baby but was still over half as big as the Kestrel It couldnt lift it so half flew and half dragged it. I took a couple of pictures but dont know how to post them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 We have two owls in our garden. We live sort of on the edge of the country, but the adjoining gardens and ours are all surrounded by trees. I know we have a barn owl as I have seen it on our roof and seen it's lovely shaped white face. But we hear another one too. One does the usual twit twooo, the other just sort of a screech sound. I was worried they were hanging round the garden because of the chooks! Chooks are in run, but it still worries me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
