Hawk Attack Today

[kla37]

Glad you have one lucky hen!!! I watched a hawk swoop in and pick a little squirrel right off our fence once. Hopefully the abundance of squirrels and little critters will keep them from wanting my girls!

 

[CaitlynNichols]

Haha, yes, we have MANY of those. Although their cuteness is just too much that I'd feel bad for the poor squirrel.
I remember a few years back before I headed off to school I witnessed a hawk swooping down at a field mouse and flew into our peach tree to chomp on it down. It amazes me how mother nature works - until it involves your chickens being the meal.

 

[drumstick diva]

I remember going outside and finding a pile of red feathers, then I saw a little beak and I realized a hawk had gotten a cardinal. I really felt badly because I had a birdfeeder up and it made them easy pickens for the hawks that sat waiting on the telephone poles. I've been living here 41 years and have never seen a hawk or falcon dive from the sky and pick up lunch. They have been too citified and just wait by bird feeders. I sometimes wonder if they have lost all their natural instincts and talent.

 

[SJ]

Quote:
Another way to tell the difference between similar looking birds of prey is to observe them hunting. Hawks can have distinct hunting methods. Different methods can help Id your culprit.
Example: Perchers vs. Divers

I lost 2 SLW this summer past to a pair of giant Harriers.

My mom observe both attacks and wasn't sure what kind of hawk it was. We have redtails, goshawk, Peragrine, bald eagles, ospreys, gryfalcons, harriers, and other raptors i cant Id (juveniles i think), not to mention the owls. But when she told me that they would sit atop a power pole before they swooped in it narrowed down the possible suspects. If i were you I would consider the Harrier as well. Females look alot like goshawks, and gryfalcons. But a male is hard to mistake with his white chest and black wing tips. They are all big hawks thou.
A links to compare.
http://www.bobsteelephoto.com/Species/noha.html

 

[CaitlynNichols]

Quote:
Another way to tell the difference between similar looking birds of prey is to observe them hunting. Hawks can have distinct hunting methods. Different methods can help Id your culprit.
Example: Perchers vs. Divers

I lost 2 SLW this summer past to a pair of giant Harriers.

My mom observe both attacks and wasn't sure what kind of hawk it was. We have redtails, goshawk, Peragrine, bald eagles, ospreys, gryfalcons, harriers, and other raptors i cant Id (juveniles i think), not to mention the owls. But when she told me that they would sit atop a power pole before they swooped in it narrowed down the possible suspects. If i were you I would consider the Harrier as well. Females look alot like goshawks, and gryfalcons. But a male is hard to mistake with his white chest and black wing tips. They are all big hawks thou.
A links to compare.
http://www.bobsteelephoto.com/Species/noha.html

This is really awesome, thank you so much for providing the link and the helpful tip for next time if I come to encounter a hawk again. I appreciate it!

 

[gracechapelchicks]

I lost one of my hens to a hawk last week. The bad news is this hawk is building a nest close to my chicken coop. I let my chickens out during the day and put them up at night. I just don't know what to do about this situation. Any suggestions is appreciated.

 

[CaitlynNichols]

I have never been in that kind of situation before - I suggest you could call your local fish and game and ask them for advice and see if they are able to handle the situation. The likelihood is that there may be nothing you can do because I'm told harassing a mother hawk and her nest is a federal crime (please correct me if I'm off

).

 

[SJ]

Predators in general will set up shop as close to a reliable food source as they feel comfortable. If you want a hawk to move you can only do so much. Keeping your chickens inside takes them off the menu but if there are plenty of other food sources near by you might just have to build a large covered run to keep your feathered friends clucking. I had to build one. How close are you to farm fields or a land fill crawling with rodents, farm silos with pigeons, wetlands with ducks or muskrats, parks or golf courses with squirrels? These all make for prime hunting areas for hawks looking to start a family. If this isnt the case the hawk may just have the wrong idea about how easy life will be as your neighbor. Chickens running around on a lawn may be too easy of pickins to pass up. Another note is that hawks often return each year(spring is coming quick) to the same nest to raise chicks. So if your hawk is just building a nest now it is likely young. Just trying to stake out its own territory. If you want it gone dont give it the idea that your chickens will be the fast food joint on its block. Keep them babies out of site for a week and if your lucky

it will move on to greener pastures. Otherwise your looking at something similar to my situation, a mama hawk with hungry mouths to feed.