Hi,
i am a new member but have browsed the site on and off for a couple of years - such great discussions and information!
i was just wanting some help with identifying a bird involved in an incident today. I am in CARINGBAH, NSW and in the afternoon today I heard a noise on our roof but just thought it was the currawongs or magpies playing and chasing each other as they often do.
However when I came out there was a large brown coloured bird carrying a pigeon across the garden. He saw me and ran for cover, jumped on a table and sat with the dead pigeon and then when I approached he jumped over the neighbour's fence leaving the pigeon behind. He seemed to have removed the pigeon's head and was obviously planning to finish the job before being disturbed.
The attacking bird was a brownish colour (similar to the reddish-brown colour of roosters or chickens) but I didn't get a really good look at him - he had a small head, large claws, sharp eyes and then seemed to hop onto the fence through the plants and over the fence. He was medium-sized for a bird of prey - nowhere near the size of the large eagles that I have seen in other parts of Australia or wildlife parks.
So I was just seeking some help in identifying the attacking bird - perhaps a type of falcon or hawk or buzzard?
thanks,
Pvcee
My best guess is a brown goshawk, Pvcee. They predate the crested pigeons at my place on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges, SA.
Hi Woko, thanks for your reply!
I've had a look at some internet photos of this goshawk and it seems to have a speckled belly - the bird I saw seemed virtually reddish-brown all over - so not too sure if it is the same one. Possibly another type of goshawk??
Also, it didn't seem to make any noise or call out - even during the attack on the pigeon.
Brown gos would be my suspicion, if not Australian Hobby? Collared Sparrowhawk?
Possibly a juvenile bird of prey - if he jumped over the fence instead of flying away like most birds do.
Thanks for all of your replies and a Merry Xmas to all!
Maybe a baby wedge-tailed eagle or the like could be the answer? As I said no markings over his body other than just the brown plumage - have to try to get a photo if we see him again!
all the pigeons seem to have disappeared though so perhaps we won't see him if dinner isn't available!
pvcee
What was the size comparison between the pigeon and the (supposedly) goshawk?
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Hi Brandon,
Well the attacking bird was close to but a bit smaller than a channel-billed cuckoo, which we see here regularly.
pvcee