(graphic) Mr. Sparrow

[Mebits]

So, after not seeing ANY sparrows to speak of all winter, they've been coming in. Evidently, several breeding pairs moved in and had a few clutches because I've been taking several every day I can focus on the yard long enough to get some shots off. Yesterday, I took 7. Today, I took two. It was driving me NUTS hearing all those sparrow calls all day.

I believe I've taken about 25 or 30 over the past month.

Today was interesting, and I thought I'd share. First, I JUST missed a 22 yard double. On sparrows, that's not easy. Second, I aimed for and got a head shot on a male at about 18 yards. When I hit him, he did about 9 somersaults toward me and then lay still. Then a moment or two later I was glassing the yard and saw this:

 
I couldn't believe it. I had taken the top of his head off and yet he was still sitting there, looking around. Not only that, but he was fighting hard when I picked him up and held him until his passage was eased. I couldn't believe how tough that little house sparrow was. I can't do much better than a head shot.

[TheKnot]

whooo you plowed it

[454 Big Block Chevy]

Sometimes i find it better to just aim center mass on house sparrows... they dont' tend to stay alive!  there brains are so small, that even a good headshot doesn't hit anything vital!  there heart/lungs are a much larger target.

[djmyers]

You wouldent think you could get a much cleaner head shot than that. Good shooting. Crazy that sucker was still alive with no forhead or eyes.

[Mebits]

Let's be frank: Just hitting them anywhere out beyond 15 yards is hard enough. I just had a head-on/head down shot and figured that's the one to take.

[454 Big Block Chevy]

oh that was a fantastic shot, especially at a small target.  i'm just saying that natures critters are tought little SOB's. , i applaud you for a good shot!

[Mebits]

I have a real love/hate with these guys. They're incredible competitors. Like the starlings, they are strong, aggressive, smart.

Of course, they're ruthless invaders who stand to, along with starlings, turn our urban landscapes into mono or bi cultures with just to birds in them. They MUST be eradicated, where possible.

M

[JimH]

That reminds me of Mike the headless chicken...lived for two years until he choked on a ham sandwich... or was that Mamma Cass?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken

[dk1677]

Had a similar one last winter, 25 yard or so shot with the RS3  ( aim for the body) and it filliped  right over with its feet in the air , a few minutes later I look and its sitting upright! I look though the scope and I see a  bloody head, so I quickly reload and  get the body shot the second time

[PhantomF4E]

Remember that movie Scanners.  LOL

[only1harry]

Nice head shot!  I guess it was doing the headless chicken walk

[jake]

great shooting!

[shadow]

Yup got em good, great shot and pic.   Ed