Saturday, May 30, 2009

Crested Goshawk Hunting Squirrel

I was at Taiwan in April for about 10 days and visited the Taipei Botanical Garden with Ling on the last 2 days before returning to Singapore.

We arrived in the morning and around about 9am, the whole garden was very noisy. Apparently the noise was warning calls from hundreds of squirrel in the garden in synchronous. After a quick scan I saw a Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus) and the warning call was aimed at this bird of prey.
My guess was correct and despite the warning call, the Goshawk managed to catch a squirrel from a tree and flew off to another part of the garden.
The Goshawk perch on another tree and with the squirrel tightly hold with the talon.The Goshawk was holding the squirrel for about 15 or 20 mins but continue on the look out.
The Goshawk first remove the fur with the powerful bill.The Goshawk just 'spit' the fur away.Some of the squirrel's fur still stuck on the Goshawk bill.
The Goshawk continue to do that for at least another 7 or 8 timesAfter about 5 mins or so, the Goshawk finally tear the squirrel to expose the flesh and consume it.

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