AN EDINBURGH local has shared a grim video of a huge bird of prey eating a pigeon in his back garden.
The resident saw the bird, believed to be a sparrowhawk, pecking at the dead pigeon on the lawn next to Redhall Park in Slateford on Wednesday.
The sparrowhawk is a common breed in Scotland that eats small birds, insects, and mammals.
Despite this, it is said to be rare for sparrowhawks to catch and eat pigeons due to their size, but some females of the species have been known to do so as they tend to grow larger than their male counterparts.
The video shows the bird standing by the garden fence, standing on a pigeon carcass and biting pieces off.
A social media user posted the footage to a Slateford community group earlier this week, saying: “Pigeon for lunch, next to Redhall Park.
“First time I’ve seen a bird of prey in the garden.”
The post received over 40 likes and comments, with many confirming that the bird is indeed a sparrowhawk.
One user said: “They breed in Colinton Dell.”
Another added: “Hen sparrowhawks will be getting ready for breeding season, no bird will be safe for next month or so.”
A third replied: “Been up Fairbrae way, can’t hear any birds when they are about.”
Another recognised the familiar fowl, saying: “I have seen it a few times in Redhall Crescent.”
A fifth remarked: “Aye the dreaded sparrowhawk”
The Eurasian sparrowhawk has been spotted numerous times in Colinton Dell, which is only half a mile from Redhall Park.
The sparrowhawk is a relatively small bird of prey in comparison to its counterparts, and is among 18 other predatory bird species found in Scotland, such as the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon.
