Bird of prey seem to be more common in UK?
I found this interesting news which show that some bird of prey can adapt to new type f surrounding… in GARDEN area!!.
I know that not all type of Bird of Prey that able to do that, but at least it is a good news compared to other news which only tell about the declining of their habitat..
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Eagle- Eye Leon spot bird of Prey
A ‘SPECTACULAR’ bird of prey is becoming a common feature in gardens across south Manchester, experts say.
It follows a number of sightings of the Sparrowhawk, which until recently has been rarely seen outside its natural habitat of rural and woodland areas.
The Sparrowhawk lives off other smaller birds and is thought to be being attracted into the city because of its flourishing bird population.
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And with temperatures set to drop in the autumn months, more of the striking breed are expected to flock to the city than ever before because of its relative warmth compared to rural areas.
Bird watcher Leon Patsalides, 58, of Whalley Road, Whalley Range, was stunned to see a Sparrowhawk fly into his garden and attack a Magpie at 7am one morning last week.
He said: “As an amatuer naturalist I couldn’t believe my luck to see a Sparrowhawk. It was quite a spot.
“They are a countryside bird so it is unusual to see them in the city.
“There was a real commotion in the garden and I saw him with what appeared to be young Magpie in its claws.
“Two Magpies followed him but he just stuck out his neck and his beak and they disappeared pretty sharpish.”
The bird has short broad wings and a long tail. The male is usually around 34cm long with a wingspan of around 59cm. Its top half is slate grey while the bottom is usually a reddish colour. The female is slightly larger.
They are not thought to present any danger to pets.
But Margaret Overend, of the RSPB in the North West, said they are becoming more common in the city.
She added: “It is very exciting for bird lovers to see these hawks, they are pretty spectacular.
“They go where the food is and they are moving into cities to prey on small garden birds.
“It is a good sign to see birds at the top end of the food chain because it shows that an area has a healthy bird population.
“A lot of birds of prey are starting to adopt cities as their home because of the food, and more can be expected to move in as the weather starts to get colder.”
The RSPB is advising householders with bird tables to situate them away from trees where the birds can get a good all round view so they do not become easy prey for any nearby Sparrowhawks.
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