Hawk Stalking Guineas

[Kaolru]

I went out this morning and saw a hawk on the ground peeking around the guinea pen. Their pen is a large chain link dog run with a top on it.
Oddly enough, the guineas were silent while this was going on.
The hawk then perched in a nearby tree, but flew off before I could get a good look at it. No idea what kind it was, but it wasn't big enough to be a red-tail.

I'm now afraid to let my guineas out for the day. I didn't think anything smaller than a red-tail would go after adult guineas, but now I'm not so sure.

Is there anything I can do?

 

[sourland]

It may very well be a Cooper's hawk, and if hungry enough they will tackle an adult chicken or guinea. They may even try to get through the chain link if they can find a large enough hole.

 

[CHlCK3N]

It'd be best if you added something distracting or freaky that would scare off the hawk. I personally use plastic bags and tie them to the top and I haven't had a problem with hawks. If I did, I couldn't shoot it. It's illegal to shoot the birds of prey.
Here's a good website:
https://www.thespruce.com/protecting-birds-from-hawks-386576

 

[happyfrenchman]

You did right to leave them in today. I left mine in today for similar reasons. Here in Ga, the sun is low, and there are lots of leaves flying around casting shadows... my birds were jumpy when I went out and so I left them in. Also I have youngsters in the flock and while they most likely would not come out, if they did they would be quickly killed by the local Coopers. A hungry Coopers hawk which this assuredly was, is a relentless predator. They will hop under a cover or into a coop to get your birds. I have known them to go through rather elaborate pigeon bucks which are one way doors. When they are hungry they are desperate. I believe they kill many more chickens than the larger Red Tails. From my observations of them, they are somewhat reckless and will attack first and think about the consequences later. The safest defense is to leave your birds inside. Your guineas were smart to be quiet. Sometimes these hawks can stampede your chickens (which are not as smart) to try to grab one through the wire.

 

[Chickassan]

Not saying this is the outcome every single time but a big enough and tight knit enough flock will tackle a cooper's hawk. I saw this first hand today, my flock of six were encircled around a cooper's hawk on the ground eating a chipmunk. They were all puffed up in agro mode,no noise at all but it was about to get real out there.