birds of prey

[Cooky]

anyone know much about birds, the feathered ones?

found our wolfhound running around the garden this morning with a bird in it's mouth, the poor thing cant fly and is quite destressed as i'm sure most would be.

it is definately some kind of hawk thing as it has talons and a hooked beak.

its grey coluoued with white underneath and brownish strips. with white stripe/flashes on its wings.

will try and post a pic later.

[Puggit]

I suggest you contact your local bird of prey centre and ask them to help. It doesn't really matter what type it is, but I'm going to guess you're not really suitable to help it?

A quick google shows: http://www.gauntlet.info/

[blindswelledrat]

SParrowhawk?

[blindswelledrat]

If I were you I would call the RSPB or google for a local bird of prey centre quick sharp. WOuld be a shame for your cat to finish it off.

[Matt Evans]

This might help identify it:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier/for...

But personally, I don't think that identifying it is really the primary concern. Is there a local vet that you could take it to?

[blindswelledrat]

Matt Evans said:

But personally, I don't think that identifying it is really the primary concern. Is there a local vet that you could take it to?

NOt sure about you, but I wouldn't particularly relish trying to pick up a wounded, frightened bird of prey

[hooperpride]

If you are going to try and pick it up thick gardening gloves and towels would be best along with a box to put it straight into, however I'd imagine the rspca would come out to you.

[Cooky]

BSR

its more grey than that pic and a bigger and more hooked beak

[Cooky]

ok, stop the panic i picked it up and have put it in a nice box with sawdust and some food from our bird table. calling the bird people now.

[blindswelledrat]

Cooky said:

some food from our bird table. .

Some birds?
Its not often you see hawks or falcons hanging from peanut bags.

[Cooky]

blindswelledrat said:

Cooky said:

some food from our bird table. .

Some birds?
Its not often you see hawks or falcons hanging from peanut bags.

what you suggest firkin prime fillet!

[blindswelledrat]

I wouldn't worry about it. Fresh from the mouth of a Wolf Hound I suspect eating is not high on its list of priorities right now.
Have you called anyone?

[Pothole]

they use dog and cat food on that nauseating telly prog with the bloke who drives the volvo estate

[y2blade]

blindswelledrat said:

I wouldn't worry about it. Fresh from the mouth of a Wolf Hound I suspect eating is not high on its list of priorities right now.
Have you called anyone?

my thoughts too

[Fort Jefferson]

Cooky said:

blindswelledrat said:

Cooky said:

some food from our bird table. .

Some birds?
Its not often you see hawks or falcons hanging from peanut bags.

what you suggest firkin prime fillet!

Yes, but you may have to coat the meat in dog hair or feathers to get it to eat it.

[becksW]

Ask your vets if their is a wildlife centre/ exotics vets nearby. If it's broken it's wing they will try and repair it. Don't assume it's a gonna yet, worry about it's type later.

[Cooky]

Update.

The man from the bird hospital came and took it away, he reckons it will live and return to full health after a bit of R & R. The dog was most dis-chuffed to see her quarry carried away in a little box.
Apparently it was one of these, no wonder all the other little birdies seemed in such fine fettle.

Kippax (The Wolfhound) is most protective of her little garden friends, and often enjoys watching the visitors dine at her bird-table. We can only assume she was aware of the level of panic caused by this uninvited guest to her garden utopia and acted accordingly.

A Goshawk

[central]

Cooky said:

Goshawk

Rare!

Have you got a photo of the actual bird?

[Planet Claire]

central said:

Cooky said:

Goshawk

Rare!

Have you got a photo of the actual bird?

Wow, yes, that was some catch!
Glad it's getting some tlc. My folks have a few owls and a kestrel, all of which can't fly due to injuries. Hopefully the Goshawk will recover and can be released back into the wild.

[mr brightside]

how did the dog get hold of it in the first place then?