Georgia Backyard Nature

Hungry Hawk

 

When this big Red Shouldered Hawk landed on the safflower seed feeder, he wasn’t looking for seed. This fearsome predator was looking for a small unwary mammal or bird to eat. Needless to say, there weren’t any other visitors to the feeder for quite a while after he left the yard!!

Hunting (Urban) Hawk

A friend sent me this video of a big Red Shouldered Hawk that hunts near a busy street close to downtown Atlanta.  The constant traffic noise doesn't seem to affect his concentration at all.

 

 

Red shouldered hawks are large birds, measuring from 17 to 24 inches high, with a wingspan of about 3 feet.  Their back and wings are dark brown, with white barring.  Their name comes from the rusty colored patches on top of their wings.

 

These striking birds of prey are year-round residents in the eastern half of the U.S. and California.  They prefer woodlands and swampy areas around lakes, rivers and streams, but are adapatable to other areas.  Red shouldered hawks usually hunt from low perches, dropping down to grab small mammals like mice, rabbits, and chipmunks. They also eat insects, frogs, lizards, or snakes.  Red Shouldered Hawks hunt by sight and sound, listening for prey rustling in leaves. Sometimes they even hunt on the ground, staking out burrows of small mammals and grabbing them when they scurry out. 

 

It's normal to see these hawks quietly waiting for a tasty frog or unwary bird here on the lake. Seeing them patiently hunting in a noisy urban environment is downright amazing, though!!

 

Cunning Cooper's Hawk

 
This big hawk visited the bird feeder but he wasn’t after safflower seeds!  The Cooper’s hawk specializes in eating medium sized birds!!  They’re often seen at feeders trying to nab a plump mourning dove, jay, robin, or starling. They also eat mammals such as chipmunks, squirrels, mice, and bats.  Cooper’s hawks kill their prey by grabbing it in their feet and squeezing it to death. They’ve also been known to drown prey as well by holding the hapless creature under water until it stops moving.

 

Cooper’s hawks have a steel gray back and a black barred tail with a white tip. The head is a darker shade of gray and the nape is lighter.  Their chest and stomach are reddish.  Identification is sometimes difficult because they closely resemble the Sharp-shinned hawk which is a little smaller.

 

Even though these hawks are wily predators, the male Cooper’s hawk really knows how to treat his lady. Females are much bigger, so males are very submissive. He doesn’t pursue, but waits patiently for her to signal that she ready to be approached.  After mating, the male builds the nest and provides almost all the food for the female and nestlings for the next 90 days.

 

The Cooper’s hawk is a big bird, about the size of a crow, so the nest is over two feet wide and made of sticks. It takes about two weeks to complete.  Favorite nesting spots are at least 25 feet off the ground in oak, pine, or fir tree. The female lays 2-6 eggs and incubates them up to 36 days.

 

I’ve only seen a couple of these hawks in the backyard, but when show up, the yard empties immediately—with good reason. I only wish the Cooper’s hawk frightened those starlings enough to stay away for good!!

Hunting Hawk

Yesterday was one of the coldest days yet here in Georgia, but amazingly the lake was jumping with activity.  The best visitor by far was a beautiful red shouldered hawk.  He perched on a low branch and patiently waited for a tasty morsel to appear.  Suddenly, he spied something in the shallow end of the lake, swooped down to nab it, and flew to the bank to enjoy his snack.  The hawk hunted from that same tree for a couple of hours, repeating this routine several times.

Red shouldered hawks are large birds, measuring from 17 to 24 inches high, with a wingspan of about 3 feet.  Their back and wings are dark brown with white barring.  Their name comes from the rusty colored patches on top of their wings. 

These striking birds of prey are year-round residents in the eastern half of the U.S. and California.  They prefer woodlands and swampy areas around lakes, rivers and streams.  Red shouldered hawks usually hunt from low perches, dropping down to grab a frog, lizard, or snake.  They also eat insects and small mammals, like rabbits, chipmunks, and voles.  Sometimes they hunt on the ground, staking out burrows of small mammals and grabbing them when they scurry out. These hawks also hunt on the wing. 

Unfortunately, they also dine on small birds.  I raised the shades one morning and was shocked to see a hawk on the ground with a songbird in its claws.  When a hawk is perched in the sycamore tree, other birds disappear and the yard becomes deathly quiet. 

Interesting facts about red shouldered hawks:

 

• They hunt by sight and sound, listening for prey in dry leaves.   

• Females are slightly larger than the male.   

• Nests are made of sticks, leaves, and lichens in the main fork of a tree, 20 to 60 feet high.  They often nest near water.  

• The female lays 2-5 eggs and incubates them from 28 to 33 days, while the male hunts for her.

• Chicks

leave the nest 39-45 days after hatching.

 

Although, it’s hard to watch these superb hunters nab a songbird or a cute rabbit, I wouldn’t want them to stop visiting.  I’m fascinated by their beauty, skill, and patience.   And there’s always the chance that, in summer, they’ll nab those nasty snakes.  (Click on the pictures for a better view)