Hawk or Falcon
(Internet Published) Feb 2001
In certain areas of Britain the Peregrine falcons have had great effect upon
pigeon flying. Northern Ireland, one of the few hot spots that still
remains, is effected. Bristol in the South West of England, was a hot spot
for Tipplers and highflying Tumblers, but now the Falcons have caused almost
every man to give up trying to fly. Wales was a country where many men kept
Tipplers, but not any longer. The same story prevails in many other late hot
spot areas, including Birmingham and district, which certainly is the pigeon
city of England.
These Falcons were rare after WWII and the use of DDT was said to be
responsible. After DDT was banned the Falcons slowly started to multiply as
a highly protected species. Not only that but conservationists introduced
them into areas where they had not been seen before, much to the wrath of
pigeon men.
The reports about such attacks included in Tippler Newsletters Worldwide are
misleading. Usually in a fly report it mentions a hawk attack so there is
confusion because a lot of men cannot tell the difference between a hawk and
a falcon. Some men of Britain will declare that a sparrow hawk has attacked
their pigeons and ruined the contest fly. I agree that a chase by anything
can ruin fly or cause individuals to bolt and get lost. It is remarkable how
some men say that a sparrow hawk has actually killed a Tippler at some
altitude in the open sky. This I find very hard to believe.
The sparrow hawk is fairly common in Sheffield, but rarely ever attacks fit
domestic pigeons. When it does the attacks are sneak, surprise, ambush
attacks on pigeons on the loft top or on the ground. I have never seen a
sparrow hawk chasing a pigeon in the open or in clear flight. Any such
chases take place in the open were always by peregrine falcons.
However some men have said a Sparrow hawk was responsible.
I find it very difficult to tell the difference between a Sparrow hawk and a
falcon unless at very close range. The sparrow hawk female and the peregrine
male are the same size, which is only the size of a racing pigeon. The
difference is the sharply pointed wings of the Falcon and the slightly
rounded wing tips of the hawk. At about 200 feet high and 300 feet range I
cannot tell the difference.
In my own experience the intrusion into my air space by a hawk or a Falcon
will cause my kit of pigeons to panic and fly wide. A hawk that ignores my
kit and goes on its way is not a problem, and, my kit soon settles down.
However, a falcon soon identifies itself and chases after individuals at
terrific speed at altitudes of between 150 feet and 2,000 feet. Fit pigeons
evade these chases just as the Peregrine tries to grab them from the side or
from underneath. Usually the pigeons dive to the loft or to cover where the
peregrine will not try to attack. The peregrine will continue to chase loose
pigeons - one at a time - until it realises that the pigeons are too smart
and then it will fly away in search of easier prey. However, woe betides any
young or unfit pigeon that is not quick enough.
My own complaints are not the kills but the ruination of exercises and the
losses caused by panic stricken fly aways. Anything at all that causes a
panic and a fly away can cause losses. All fit pigeons of highflying type
are apt to be very highly-strung and nervous. It doesn't take much to cause
a stampede. Even a change a wind or weather can do it.
I'd reckon that the American version of our Sparrow hawk is the Coopers
hawk, but I have failed to get any really expert advice on Coopers hawk
attacks. Our British peregrine, I believe is precisely like the American
version in all-relevant details. Worldwide there are geographical versions,
but all of them are the same in that they are the number one menace, if not
as killers, certainly as a nuisance.