Hawks Nesting in our Pecan tree, How do we get rid of them.

[Palm City Peep]

Yes, that's a red-shouldered hawk. Full grown standard hen will out-weigh this species by a whole bunch. Of all species of buteo type hawks, this one does have accipiter traits. Buteos (red-tails, broad-wings, etc.)are less likely to take bird prey than do accipters (Coopers, sharp-shinned, goshawk). I still believe, because of the size difference, this guy is more likely to sit and drool rather than kill your birds. But it may give it a shot. My buddy who keeps RIRs and 4 bantams of some breed says he's seen red-shoulders sit on fence-posts and holler in frustration cause the chickens so appetizing but don't attack his birds. Please, however, take all steps to protect your birds from predators (bird-netting over your run) and personally watching your flock when your birds free-range.

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

Quote:
Thank you for more info on hawk.
We don't free-range our chickens, and their run is completely enclosed (galvanized roof covering chicken wire), so they should be safe.

 

[Aubrinator]

I yelled like heck at the one that attacked my chickens. Of course, I guess Daisy broke the law by fighting it off while I figured out what was happening

Boy, I don't want to get into an argument with that chickie.

 

[chickenteacherinaz]

I am trying an Emu. They should hatch soon. I want to imprint the emu with the chickens. Emus are supposed to be good protectors. I think the hawks in my neighborhood will look at the emu and fly the other direction. I will let you know if it works.

 

[AlbionWood]

Red-Shouldered Hawks are the oddest raptors, at least in their eating habits. As a species they eat a wide variety of small prey (I've never heard of one going after a chicken) but some individuals will specialize. In addition to small rodents etc., they will eat frogs, lizards, insects, and earthworms! A lady nearby told me she has one that hangs out near her house and eats almost nothing but earthworms in the rainy season.

Beautiful birds. Noisy, though! They do seem to be learning to coexist with humanity pretty well.

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

I go outside every 1 1/2 to 2 hrs and watch the pair that hangs around our area. It was just in our yard and neighbors catching it's dinner. We have moles and mice that hang out in our yards, so they have a good food hunting ground. They are very beautiful up close. It was 10 feet from our window, looked like it was watching us, but it was watching for dinner.
I still need to get a video of them, this was the first time it was close enough to get a descent view.