Sparrowhawk strikes again in Toms Crescent, Ainslie- prey/diet queries

[martin butterfield <>]

HANZAB lists Crested pigeon and a few other columbid species in their lists of prey (but not specifically for Canberra).  Most victim species are smaller.  

It would seem (according to a different volume of HANZAB) that the Crested pigeon was towards the upper end of weight of that species. The highest they record is 240gms  Although they do note that the weight of the species varies a lott according to diet and level of hydration.

Martin

On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 5:56 PM, Robin Hide <> wrote:

Out of curiousity I retrieved and weighed the Crested Pigeon killed by the Sparrowhawk yesterday - it was plump and weighed over 200 gm (perhaps nearer 250 by ancient kitchen scales).
Given the average size of Sparrowhawks, this means it was about the same size as its prey- quite a load to carry even over short 30 m carries as seen yesterday.
Do they usually go for prey as large as this?  Is there a good source of information on their diet in the ACT region? I've previously seen one kill and carry an Indian Mynah in this street, but they are perhaps half the weight of a C Pigeon.
Thanks
Robin


On 28/08/2010 4:58 PM, Robin Hide wrote:

Walked too quickly out the front door this afternoon and scared off the front lawn (shielded from street by hedge) a Collared Sparrowhawk (I think) plus Crested Pigeon prey it was just starting to pluck.
It flew 30 m or so across the street plus prey, and then again another 20 m hop, and finally to a driveway where a garage sale was being held. Arrival of ravens plus people saw it abandon prey and perch a few metres away, before eventually giving up and flying off.