Bop Kill Rate

[PigeonDetective]

Was reading an American article yesterday about BOP attacks on domestic pigeons in the states.. It claimed that goshawks have an astonishing kill rate of 90 odd %+

 

I was reading the article as iv been getting visits from buzzards (which I assume are too big and slow to catch a pigeon?) and What I believe to be sparrowhawks.. Luckily My birds had all got in the loft minutes before its arrival overhead yesterday..

 

Just got me wondering if a flock of healthy adult performance pigeons sees a sparrowhawk in good time, What would people say is the success kill rate would be?

 

I'm afraid this is a sign of things to come and trying to work out the best time of the day to exercise my flock and avoid BOP's

[VAGIN]

Most sparrow hawk attacks usually happen when the birds are are stationary on the top of the loft /bathing/on the ground . Never seen an attack with a sparrow hawk when the birds are in flight. The hen birds does most of the killing and uses ambush and surprise tactics . A very cunning and nasty piece of work with no fear of man .

[Kyleakin Lofts]

They are here!!! Things have came!!!

 

You are lucky to be just becoming aware of them.

 

Clear all bushes and hedges from around your loft to give the pigeons a chance of seeing SH before they are upon the birds. Their tactics are changing and they do attack the birds in the air and will chase after a failed ambush. They have to eat and there are so many of them that they have to adapt.

Similarly the Peregrine will also attack by ambush and also chase in flight. There are that many of them that they have also adapted their methods.

 

Best of luck.

[PigeonDetective]

Thanks for the replies.. I have a feeling one of my hens fell victim to a hawk or falcon couple of weeks ago.. she just disappeared.

The area is probably ingrained in the culprits mind, because it was a successful kill..

 

Peregrines definitely operate in the area, But are a lot rarer I believe. I suppose ill just have to get my younger birds trapping quicker and hope for the best

[Bobby4]

Thanks for the replies.. I have a feeling one of my hens fell victim to a hawk or falcon couple of weeks ago.. she just disappeared.

The area is probably ingrained in the culprits mind, because it was a successful kill..

 

Peregrines definitely operate in the area, But are a lot rarer I believe. I suppose ill just have to get my younger birds trapping quicker and hope for the best

seen perigrine today in springburn glasgow today taking ferral pigeon in the air just above house height

[Kyleakin Lofts]

seen perigrine today in springburn glasgow today taking ferral pigeon in the air just above house height

 

Aye, they shouldn't be in cities, but the do-gooders have botched that up. This is part of the reason their tactics have changed. You cannot go into a 200mph stoop in a built up area, so you have to adapt.