What is this chomping on a collared dove?

[Bit of a Unit]

Not something you see in the front garden everyday!!

Anyone an idea of what the bird of prey is?

[bigandclever]

I'd say that's a Merlin.

[Fort Jefferson]

its a female sparrowhawk

[ehonda]

Looks more like a Goshawk to me - but I'm not certain.

Edit - Or a sparrowhawk

Google image shows a wide variation of colour for all of the smaller birds of prey, which aint much help.

[moleamol]

I saw one exactly the same doing the same thing last year. I decided it was a female Sparrowhawk.

[Big Fat Fatty]

Fort Jefferson said:

its a female sparrowhawk

My first thought anyway.

ETA, Worst "I have a Jag on the drive" thread ever!

[CooperD]

I thought it might have been a Hobby but I'm siding with a female Sparrowhawk after seeing photos of both.

[MacW]

African or European?

[mat777]

ehonda said:

Looks more like a Goshawk to me - but I'm not certain.

Edit - Or a sparrowhawk

Google image shows a wide variation of colour for all of the smaller birds of prey, which aint much help.

Too small to be a goshawk, they're much much bugger.

We used to have one that visited our garden a lot, it must have had a 2ft tall body. Magnificent thing to watch, but in the end a local farmer shot it after it made off with some lambs (yes really!)

[Bit of a Unit]

Thanks for the suggestions folks, I think female sparrow hawk is the winner.

[W124Bob]

Looks like an XKR to me.

[Jasandjules]

If it eats pretty much just the head, Sparrowhawk......