Mystery solved!

[stella]

A little while ago I posted a thread "What happened to this pigeon?", in regards to a poor eaten bird I found on my neighbors roof. At the time, it was suggested that perhaps a hawk or raccoon had gotten him.

"My" feral flock stays on my deck all day, so a few minutes ago, when they all suddenly flew over to the phone wire I knew something was up. As I went out the door a shower of feathers rained down on and around me. I knew it wasn't anything good.

With trepidation I got on the ladder, quite scared because I could hear something. As I made my way over the edge of the roof I saw a huge falcon eating one of my pigeons - it was grisly. We were just a few feet apart and he saw me and raised his wings - a warning I guess - and I quickly descended.

I have a lump in my throat. I want to cry for the demise of the pigeon, but also because the falcon was so beautiful. I live in the middle of a large city, and I have never seen one up close; the word that comes to mind is "majestic". I wish I was a better storyteller - this just happened a few minutes ago and my heart is still pounding - but now the mystery of what's eating the pigeons is solved. My poor babies. I am heartbroken.

[Jerry]

Yes, it is quite a mixture of sorrow and awe that you experience when you witness such an event. One part of you is very resentful and sad that the life of one of your birds has been lost, and yet a very majestic and beautiful creature has just secured a meal so that he can go on another day. The balance of nature is not always a pretty site.

[Reti]

I am so sorry you had to witness this.
When it happened here I was devstated. I did not hate the hawk, though.
They are beautiful birds and have to survive. I just wish they were vegeterians.

Reti

[cyro51]

I would be desperate if my flocks had a hawk that fed on them! I know hawks have to eat, but it is easier to block out thoughts of their prey when you don't have to see them.

Cynthia

[pigeon george]

I try to let my birds out daily but with hawk season getting into full swing its tough i have some fast flyers and its so cool to see a hawk swoop at the flock and the birds just react and avoid the hawk ive seen pigeons out fly the hawk on level flight but one in twenty he connects and the pain and sorrow are always deep.

[zoo keeper]

I am so new to this pigeon thing. I have had pigeons for 5 months now (well started with my high flyers) and then my homers 5 weeks ago. I have never flown my high flyers because they were just to old when I got them. Now I have been flying my homers and I keep hear this word ... HAWK. I know they feed on pigeons, but now I am hearing hawk season is coming. Now do even big cities have hawks? Or are they more prone to the country areas? Next, when is hawk season. I just know I would be devastated if I saw a hawk eat one of my ladies or gentlemen pigeons. I am really getting attached to them. They feel like children that protect, watch over, and keep safe.

[re lee]

There are more hawks now then years back. And as the season changes The hawks migrate to bettter hunting grounds. Cities have released falcons to control pigeon populatios. And now have nesting city falcons/ hawks. That prey on pigeons all the time. As the hwks migrate. Larger numbers come to different areas. And pigeons flying can be seen at a distance. Dragging the hawks that way. Ones they pickup that area as a feed source. They keep returning. Hawks by nature must feed. We have to get more smart in protecting the birds we fly. Sometimes in different areas Birds have to be locked down for some time. Watch your area you will notice hawks If they are near. Now kite hawks are helpful not bad.

[Yong]

I live right smack in the middle of a major city, and I saw a Hawk steal a pigeon off my roof a couple of weeks ago. It did get away, but I was really upset over it. I know how the food chain works, but I wish they could all learn to eat ice cream or chocolate or something else =) Yong

[phyll]

I feel the same way, Yong.
The hawks should just go to the supermarket (like we do), & leave the pigeons alone.

[Barstamp]

I thought it was a cat that got my Satinette Frill, Paula. But, perhaps it was a hawk. All my husband found was a huge circle of feathers underneath an evergreen tree. There were a few feathers elswhere that led to the tree. I assumed it was a cat. I have seen hawks overhead, but having three dogs I felt they would stay away from our yard. It is so tough to lose a pigeon. My Sheltie that she rode on, has been acting depressed and howling a lot since she has been gone. I am glad we are getting a new one.