After many weeks of stalking, finally a Hawk (small Eagle) was caught. This Hawk only appears during night (Night Hawk). It was caught by using Mouse Glue. The wingspan is about 1 ft plus. It has powerful claws with extremely sharp talons. With its size it could easily enter the Entrance hole without any difficulty.
Hawks are smaller than Eagles, with its natural narrowed wings and smaller body size it could maneuver and fly faster than Eagles. With agility and sheer speed it could easily catch its preys in the air. Hawk feeds mostly on small animals such as birds. They could out-fly most birds including Swiftlets.
( Green Color Mouse Glue)
They could fly in and out of the Swiftlet farm without being detected by the CCTV. It is too fast for the CCTV to capture and record their movements, it appeared on the screen like a shadow and disappear quickly.
There were dead birds in the Swiftlet farm and the number of nests has not increased for many months. There must be something wrong inside the farm. The owner didn't know what to do and seek my advice. I told him there is something in his Swiftlet farm, “predators”. I could feel from his response that he wasn’t confident with my answer as he couldn’t see anything on his CCTV.
I know seeing is believing, but in Swiftlet farming not all things can be easily documented especially during night. In this case the Hawk outsmarted the CCTV.
He had no choice other than setting up traps inside his Swiftlet farm. Within 2 days the Night Hawk was caught. Never had he expected a Hawk. He had anticipated owls or rats which often being talked about by many Swiftlet Farmers.
( Mobile Phone size comparison)
( Sharp Claws)
There are few types of Night Hawk that fly into Swiftlet farm. Another type that I have seen before is smaller in size and grey in color. There are often spotted at Swiftlet farms located in plantation and near secondary forest area.
(It is sad that the Predator has to be killed. I won’t encourage such doing but we don’t have a choice).
Good Swiftlet Farming All!
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