Darn hawks :( RE:pigeons with ??

[shelleyd2008]

My dad has finally started letting his pigeons out to fly during the day. He has been doing it off and on for about a week. Wouldn't you know it? A stupid hawk got one of his parent birds?? I am pretty sure it was the mama, since it was about 8:30 am? I think I heard the males sit during the day? or is it the other way around?

This stupid hawk was not a redtail, and it was not much bigger than the pigeons are! Maybe it could have been a juvie redtail? It didn't give any warning or anything!! It looked like it was all brown, so idk.

Will the lone parent bird be able to hatch and care for these eggs? Or should we just take the eggs away, and try to give them to a different parent set?

ETA: They have been setting these eggs for about a week or so.

 

[redhen]

ahhhhh! stinkin Hawks again!

 

[shelleyd2008]

I tell ya, this is just not been a good month around here!! Oh, and so now I get to worry about my freerangers and ducks. I don't think the ducks are in danger from a hawk this small, but my free ranging bantams are smaller than the pigeons for the most part!! Cris's grey silkie roo took off running after the hawk came swooping in, I would just hate it if something happened to one of my babies!! I guess I need to get cranking on a coop to keep my babies safe!!

I would love to know what kind it is! Redtails usually make a high pitch 'WEEEE' sound before the attack, giving the birds some time to take cover. This one just swooped in and scared everyone to death, including me!!

 

[redhen]

sorry!

hows your boo boo's? i had that also..no fun!

 

[shelleyd2008]

I decided to take one of the lortabs the doc gave me, so they feel much better!

I guess my tolerance level for pain killers has dropped since I hurt my back a few years ago. Lortabs wouldn't have done me any good then!

 

[redhen]

pain meds...

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
Probably a coopers or sharp shinned hawk. Both will go after birds much larger then themselves. I lost a pretty good size NH red to one about a week ago.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Aw man!!! Don't tell me that!

Anyone wanna come to KY and help me build a chicken house?

 

[nzpouter]

take the eggs away, single birds soon give up on them and find a new partner. Most likely it was the male.

 

[deerman]

Yep, more likely a cooper, very fast hawk take alot of pigeons. Redtail normal to slow to take pigeon on the wing. Cooper and sharpshim will take them,right out of the air.

Male do set during the day, thats time either could have been setting,thats the time they change.

Yes pull the egg, single birds will raise a squeaker after about 2 week of age. Not eggs or new hatch ones.

When breaking my young birds I stay outside with them, until they become hawk smart, and strong fliers.