Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter Nisus) - This Raptor Hunts My Tits

While I have been feeding the songbirds to help them survive the harsh winter months, an elusive and insanely fast raptor has been feeding himself on my songbirds.

I’ve witnessed him captured several tits and/or sparrows over the weeks, but he’s always so fast, I’ve never had a chance to capture him on video.

Then one time he made a successful raid and caught a tree sparrow while I had a GoPro set up at the birdhouse. It did not capture the raptor, but it did record his shadow on a wall. The glass on the birdhouse also reflected his outline.

After that, I saw the raptor in the woods, perched on a tree. But it was a very foggy day and the bird did not let me get close enough to him to get a decent look at who he really is.

It wasn’t until an unsuccessful raid botched by a tit sounding an alarm call when he landed on a tree outside my window and I was able to get a better look at him. With that, I was able to identify the raptor as Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).

This video documents my journey to capture the bird of prey on camera and find out his identity.

I hope the video was helpful and educational for you, but please bear in mind that I’m not an expert and may be wrong about anything I say. Always do your own research and if you need expert advice, do consult an actual expert.

00:00 Disclaimer
00:15 Slow motion videos of tits feeding on sunflower seeds
00:56 How the raptor hunts my tits
02:03 How my GoPro captured the outline of the raptor
02:26 First video of the elusive raptor
02:41 Raptor’s shadow on the wall and reflection on the glass
03:09 Foggy day footage of the raptor perched on tree
03:56 First clear footage of the raptor
04:19 Not a falcon
04:39 Eurasian Sparrowhawk identified
04:49 Difference between falcons and hawks
05:05 Male vs female Sparrowhawk
05:23 Why I don’t interfere in the normal course of nature

Keep rocking :o)

Mark
https://www.nophoneman.com/