[Birdtalk] Finally, raptors in the backyard

[John Morgan]

Caught a glimpse of a hawk-like figure strafing my backyard today, although not in the vicinity of my feeders. Ran to the window to see what was the matter and found a Sharp-Shinned hawk sitting on the golf course fence in my neighbors backyard. A quick grab of the binocs gave me a nearly 2-min look at the hawk. Called the neighbors (they feed too) and had time for them to run to their window. They saw the Sharpie too, but about that time the Sharpie flew and took a diving swoop towards something near the ground. It was then I noticed (while on the phone with the neighbors and watching through the binocs at the same time) the Sharpie had made an intimidating strafe at a Kestrel perched on a suet cake-on-a-stake. The Kestrel had what appeared to be a sparrow in its talons.

I suppose the Sharp-Shinned thought the intimidation might cause the Kestrel to share lunch but no go. The Kestrel seemed unfluttered and the Sharpie disappeared. Kestrel didn't stay long after that, disappearing through the houses with sparrow in tow.

My only question: Where were the heckling Magpies? 

This display would seem to put Sharpies and Kestrels at roughly the same "pecking order"....the one not being intimidated by the other; the Sharpie only trying to intimidate, but not attacking.

To further complicate all this, I'll admit that hawk strafings seen remotely while initially being 20' away from the window are not the best times for ID'ing fast moving birds. The bird I saw strafing looked in every way like a Kestrel, but then running to the window quickly and first seeing the Sharpie on the fence, then noticing the Kestrel with prey in tow.....the timing makes more sense that the Kestrel was already there and had time to squeeze life out of the LBJ and that the Sharpie saw the action and came in for opportunity.

Were I to be called as witness for the deceased, I'll admit I wouldn't be able to re-create the scene. WHAT IF.......what if the Sharpie already had the LBJ and in fact, the Kestrel came strafing in and stole the meal from the Sharpie? That would explain the Sharpie on the fence, and the indignant re-strafing of the Kestrel.

What say ye, birding jury? Who's the real victim here? Was it the Sharpie or the Kestrel? Obviously the LBJ. But was it murder and theft? Or murder and jealousy? Who's guilty? Obviously, hunger was clearly a motive. :) A mitigating factor.
John
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