Hawk or Falcon

Jack Prescott
(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.

[Internet Published Feb 2001 at http://www.tipplers.com/jack/]