Hawk attack on Buff goose

[Kirbytb]

A Red tailed hawk attacked my full grown Buff goose this morning and I am just sick. The hawk had him down on the ground pinned by his neck.
Wilbur (goose) has puncture wounds around his head, can't open his left eye and is having trouble swallowing.
I am trying to make him comfortable but don't know what else I can do for him.
I didn't think a hawk would bother a goose. Wilbur was standing with his girls who are 2 cochin hens.
Will the hawk be back? My flock was free ranging and are now locked in their run.
thanks,
Michele

 

[gypsy2621]

wow hawk was either very desperate or very young adult. normally they wont go for a goose as large as a Buff !!
sorry about the attack, I am not sure if there is anything you can do for the throat punctures except to neo sporin and clean clean clean it out.
If he cant swallow after a day it may be kinder to put him out of the misery.
sorry.

 

[genabeana]

I wouldn't count on the hawk not coming back. It's strange that it attacked a goose. It must have been desperate.

 

[jmc]

May I ask what type of setting the birds were in?

Out in an open field with no trees nearby or at a very great distance?

In an area where there were ample trees (hiding places) for the hawk?

Or, perhaps, in an open area with trees not too close, such that the bird had to fly out from the trees, across an open area, then down to the birds?

Sorry to pester with questions, but it might be nice to know.

It seems unusual that a member of the 'soaring' Genus Buteo (e.g. Red Tailed) would attack rather than the more agile, woodland dwelling Genus Accipiter (Cooper's, e.g.)

Very sorry to hear of this.

 

[Kirbytb]

Duckmonk
The setting;
We are at the edge of a grove of trees and next to a meadow. I have an acre of yard with young trees, ponds, shrubs and plants.
The birds were in the center flower bed that has shrubs, plants, immature trees and rocks
The 2 cochin hens managed to make it to the grove of trees and underbrush to hide but not my buff.
The hawk has plenty of trees in the grove to sit in but has to fly out into my yard to get the birds.
This bird was as big as my buff and had a white breast. I thought I had id' it as a red tail. it didn't look like a coopers hawk from the pictures.
He was very brave when I ran up to it. Wouldn't budge until i threw a rock at it. Very large wing spand with curled tips
He has come back a couple of times but the birds are safe.
Wilbur seems to be doing better this am. The swelling has gone down and now he is starting to open his eye. He just seems depressed since he can't come out into the yard.
Thanks for the help
Michele

 

[jmc]

Hi Michele:

thanks.

Glad to hear our little guy seems to be doing better.

NO WAY was it a Coopers, btw. They are too small to dare to go after an adult goose--even an adult muscovy would be at the outer edge of possibility for them--under normal feed availability conditions, I'd assert.

I hope things with that predator improve greatly!

john