Karen and Roger Bolton had the unusual experience of seeing a Northern Goshawk eat a Blue Jay in their yard in Glamorgan, SW Calgary, on December 7, 2013. These powerful raptors are scarce in winter in the Calgary area. They feed on game birds like pheasants and partridge; rabbits, and rodents, as well as songbirds. (Click on the photos to enlarge them.)
I just had a Sharped-Shinned Hawk in my backyard. I wasn’t sure what kind of bird it was but when I Googled your website and saw it there it was exactly like it. White spots on his back. I thought maybe it was a young hawk of some sort.
Wow that is an amazing sight you were fortunate and thanks for the great pictures.