Hawk Eating Pigeon
Prague, Czech Republic - Here is something interesting that I observed outside the window of my flat in the center of Prague. Up on a 4th story ledge of the building across the street, a bird-of-prey was eating a pigeon that it had just killed. I am guessing the bird is some kind of hawk. Can anybody identify the species of bird?
Right after I took the picture, the students in the classroom opened the window to see what was out there and the hawk flew off with its prize. Later when I went out, I saw the dead pigeon carcass in the park. The only thing left was the wings. The pigeon’s head and most of the body were missing, consumed as dinner.
We humans have it so easy. When we are hungry, we just go out to a restaurant for a meal or to the supermarket for groceries. But it is a tough world for wild creatures like hawks and pigeons. Prey species like pigeons must be constantly vigilant, lest you become a meal for some hungry cat or hawk. Predators like hawks must hunt for their every meal. For them it is kill or die. There is no mercy in the wild.
I have great respect for the ability of wild animals to survive in a harsh and dangerous world. We humans are stewards of this earth. One of our duties as stewards is to protect the habitat of wild animals so both predators and prey have a fighting chance of survival.