I was so sad this morning when I looked out our front window and saw this... Sharp Shinned Hawk attack. ( photo / image / picture from Tooty2shoes's Garden ) This Sharp Shinned hawk had caught a Hairy woodpecker and was commencing to defeather it right before my eyes. It wasn't dead. I ran for the door figuring maybe I might scare it, and it would leave the woodpecker go. No such luck. As soon as I opened the door it took off with the woodpecker in tow. The little bird was making pitiful peeping sounds. I know they have to eat also. But not my birds, under the bird feeder. Know wonder the birds have been so jumpy lately when a bigger bird like a bluejay fly's in. They are afraid of becoming a hawk meal.
I quite often find our sparrowhawks dining out on one of my birds. My first reaction is just like yours - I want to save the bird that's on the menu. I have to restrain myself though as the hawks need to eat too but it's hard to watch.
Tooty, that is sad and its even worse when it is your chicken in the grasp of its claws. Yeah, I know they need to eat, too. BUT not my chickens!
Donna yes it was very sad. Eileen: glad you understand my reaction. I know they do have to eat. Carolyn: My thoughts exactly. When I told my mom she said-you should have grabbed your gun. Yah, I would have loved. If only to chase it away. But I do not want to pay a fine for shooting a bird because it wanted something to eat.
While I have not witnessed such an encounter, the resulting evidence remained on the ground afterward. The last episode was identified by stewbies from the profusion of feathers. I am glad the hawks forage early in the morning before I wake up. Jerry
How horrible to have to watch. I know that it is just nature at work but it's still so sad. I would have tried to save the woodpecker also.
