We occasionally get queries about birds of prey venturing into gardens often resulting in rather stumped observers who did not expect to see such creatures at such close quarters. Here are just a few quick fire questions and answers that we often encounter about birds of prey in the garden.
What was it? Nine times out of ten the bird of prey responsible is likely to be a sparrowhawk. These relatively small and agile raptors are very distinctive. They are mostly grey on their upper surfaces, sometimes with bold white spots, with pale under sides with darker horizontal barring across the chest. The male of the species is smaller and has a rufous tinge to its chest. Other species that will venture into gardens with some regularity are kestrels, buzzards and in some parts red kites. We have also had a few reports over the years of goshawk, merlin and peregrine from gardens but these are rare occurences.
Why is it in the garden? Most birds of prey are wary of humans and generally avoid us where possible. However the garden habitats of the UK have attracted a variety of woodland and scrub dwelling bird species. In fact, most of the birds that we call garden birds these days are birds that are naturally at home in the woodlands of ancient Britain. As humans have felled these habitats and changed the landscape to what we have now, these birds have adapted along with us and found ways to exploit the spaces around our habitations. The attraction of parks and gardens to the smaller species has not gone undetected by the birds of prey that have always been the natural adversaries and predators of these birds. In modern day Britain it is actually quite normal to see birds of prey in gardens.
Is it dangerous? We often get asked if the bird of prey is likely to pose a threat to pets or children or people. You can rest assurred that if you have a bird of prey like a sparrowhawk or kestrel visiting your garden it won't be a danger to your family or pets. Even larger raptors such as buzzards and red kites won't take anything larger than a rabbit so there are very few situations where there would be any reason to worry.
Won't they eat all of the small birds? We have looked into predation between birds of prey and the species that they prey upon and the simple answer is no they won't. You can read our review of predation here and some facts about predators and prey here but the general conclusion made from the research into sparrowhawk predation on songbirds is that the sparrowhawks do not depress breeding densities of their songbird prey. In a garden situation a sparrowhawk will often scatter the smaller birds, they head for cover when danger is detected and only come out again when the coast is clear. Once danger has passed they usually resume their normal activities but keep a watchful eye to skies just in case the wily raptor tries his luck again. This is unusual as once the element of surprise is lost, the sparrowhawk will move off and try his luck elsewhere. The other birds of prey that venture into gardens such as the buzzards and kestrels are generalists that will take a wide range of prey that includes worms, beetles, small mammals, as well as birds.
Can I or should I deter them? Birds of prey are natural predators of wild birds, they bring a bit of the wilderness into our lives and we should take the opportunity to appreciate their finely tuned senses and adaptibility. They only make one successful kill out of every ten attempts so they have to work very hard for their meals. Once they subdue their prey they waste very little if left undisturbed and a large meal of a pigeon for example will keep them fed for a day or two. Whilst it can be distressing to witness such acts of predation, the raptor is only doing what it needs to do in order to survive, nature is brutal sometimes and we should accept this. Rather than deter them all I would encourage everyone to do is to plant gardens sympathetically for wild birds so that plenty of cover is available to those birds quick enough to find it. Those that are too slow to react or make the worng decision are fair game for the sparrowhawk, the true meaning of survival of the fittest. The strongest and sharpest birds will therefore go on to reproduce leading to healthier populations so the role of the sparrowhawk as an apex predator is a very important one indeed.
How can I encourage them, do they use nest boxes? Whilst kestrels will take to nesting boxes, see the link here, most of the other birds of prey won't use them as they make nests in the tree tops, usually in the canopy of mature woodlands or copses. It is very difficult to attract birds of prey in to a garden on a regular basis, they often cover large distances as they hunt and will rarely concentrate their attention in the same place for long. Keeping a healthy garden for wildlife is a good start as a population of birds of prey in the area can only survive if the food chain beneath it is in good order so have a look at the Homes for Wildlife project and see what you can do.
Yesterday I had a sick pigeon in corner of garden came back from shopping and there was a large brown coloured bird actually tearing the pigeon apart could someone lighten me what this big bird was
Too many sparrowhawks in my opinion .I would do everything possible to protect the songbirds regardless of this article !
Hi, We had just left home a few weeks back now and were in the car when a Sparrow Hawk took down a wood pigeon onto the footpath at the side of the road. We stopped the car and luckily we had a camera with us so I started snapping away. We were actually within 15 feet and it just stood there occasionally trying to rip into its prey and it was almost oblivious to us. This is now the second time I have seen this occurance within the last 6 months.