Spars and windows!

[Lee Brindley]

I was just wondering about something that a lot of none falconers have told me about. They have reported seeing wild sparrow hawks intentionally chasing pidgeons into windows in order to stun them before making the kill. I discounted it at first and wasn't sure if a spar was intelligent enough, but I keep on hearing the tales. Anybody know if there is any truth in it?

[Jamaicensis]

I don't believe it. If it was true there would be way less spars dying by flying into windows...

[Martin23]

I have seen this. I dont think they intentionally chase them into the window i think the pigeon doesnt see it and the spar just manages to turn away in time thats all. As we all know sometimes the spar also hits the window.

[Lee Brindley]

I don't believe it. If it was true there would be way less spars dying by flying into windows...

I thought that maybe it explains why so many spars hit windows. If they use it as a regular hunting technique but occasionally misjudge it?

[The Two Scrim's]

I think its jsut a case of fear and determintation

[Talon]

I have seen this. I dont think they intentionally chase them into the window i think the pigeon doesnt see it and the spar just manages to turn away in time thats all. As we all know sometimes the spar also hits the window.

i think your spot on with what you have said.

[aquila_chrysaetos]

No idea if they do it intentionally. Quite risky I'd imagine :rolleyes:

Talking of which... yesterday I heard an almighty thud on our kitchen window, and ran outside fearing the worst, but only found a large (spar sized!) 'greasy' mark on the window and in addition to an almost perfect outline of it's wing shape there was another, smaller outline of wings!! There were some feathers strewn around under the window, but no sight of anything!! :o

[SpugHawk]

I think windows look like holes walls, birds being chased by a spar just try and take advantage of a opportunity to escape, its a split second decision, like wise a spar flies into a window while in hot pursuit or takes advantage of the hole in the wall to try and surprise something on the other side

[Lee Brindley]

I remember a documentry where golden eagles were chasing deer off a cliff. I guess a spar chasing a bird into a window is pretty much the same thing. I would have thought that a goldie would have a lot more ability for such complex thoughts though.

[Star]

I would have thought that a goldie would have a lot more ability for such complex thoughts though.

Why? Are goldies normally cleverer?

[Lee Brindley]

Why? Are goldies normally cleverer?

Unless I'm mistaken.

[Sean D]

Unless I'm mistaken.

I saw the programme where the Goldie chased full grown deer towards the edge of a cliffe, none of the deer fell for it though.

[Giant Panda]

I was just wondering about something that a lot of none falconers have told me about. They have reported seeing wild sparrow hawks intentionally chasing pidgeons into windows in order to stun them before making the kill. I discounted it at first and wasn't sure if a spar was intelligent enough, but I keep on hearing the tales. Anybody know if there is any truth in it?
I'm sure that in most cases of birds striking windows it is a case of them not knowing the glass is there.
The RSPB and others sell raptor shaped silhouettes to stick onto windows like conservatories where the birds can't make out the glass.If you look at most windows in a house from outside, there is a degree of darkness which warns the birds of the presence of a possible obstruction, but in the case of two clear windows(in line with each other),and the fact that they are persuing or being persued allows little time to *****.(God I hope this makes sense!!):rolleyes:

[Lee Brindley]

Oh well....so nobody thinks it could be true then? I discounted it for a long time but after about ten different people told me that they were convinced that the spars were doing it on purpose, I started to wonder.

[Matthew Patching]

It could be a possibility, but more likely is that the woodie just flys into the window.

I had one do it when my perexsaker was chasing it this past summer, and I have had them fly straight into trees, when panicked. they then make easy pickings for even the slowest harris!:yawinkle:

[Casey]

Yep,

I believe they don't know that the glass isn't something to be flown through. Mine has done it when she slipped off the fist in the living room and tried to fly through the patio door. She hit with a sickening thud flew down to the floor, got up and did it again before I got hold of her..........

.........then again she isn't all that bright.:wink:

I always make as point of closing the curtains now, just in case.

........on a seperate note I tried to walk though the glass door at my bank last year. Ouch!!:roll:

....then again, I'm not much brighter than a Spar:lol: