Hawk.

[Bigbad]

3 times in the last week, I have seen a hawk come and take a blackbird from the area of the garden where I put the food.
Just wondering why it’s always the blackbirds, when I get lots of other birds (and squirrels) in the garden.
The hawk always seems to stay on the ground for a while after it’s swooped. Would I be right in thinking that there is no point in running outside flailing around like a demented windmill to see if it drops it’s prey? I assume the damage is done at this point, and the victim will meet an unpleasant death anyway.
I must admit that I’ve watched with a combination of fascination and horror!

[Tilly2]

If you are lucky, it takes the prey off to eat elsewhere. If not, it stays in your garden, plucks off the feathers and eats its meal.

[Bigbad]

It flies off eventually, Tilly, but I'm still wondering why blackbird is the meal of choice!

[Tilly2]

Perhaps the Blackbirds are more prevalent, or just dozzier than the other birds. Our resident Sparrowhawk never catches sparrows. It's starlings and pigeons for her.

[gness]

Hi, Big......I suppose being a ground feeder the blackbird is easy prey....and they seem slower to respond to danger too.

I once did the demented windmill act.....and to my surprise....and that of the blackbird.... it worked!
The blackbird caught its breath....and went back to feed...☺