Oh my gosh. Just saw a hawk surveying my chicken coop...

[Scott214]

I live in West Virginia and the beak was arched like it was used to tear meat. Also it was very aggressive more so than a usual bird that’s in an uncomfortable situation. It could be a juvenile res tailed hawk

 

[Scott214]

Even if it wasn’t even a hawk i definitely like to be better safe than sorry. I understand that’s what hawks do but I’ll try my best to make sure it doesn’t happen to my birds. Sometimes it’s uncontrollable.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I agree, you want your birds to be safe. I’m not sure it was a juvenile red tailed hawk due to the color of the feet. They have yellow feet with black talons even as juvies.
I’m not a bird expert though, but do like bird watching and trying to identify.

 

[Scott214]

Yes. I thought i was the only one that noticed the feet not being yellow. I thought that it could just change color throughout time like other birds do .

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I believe hawks are the worst predator. They have no fear of humans, thinking nothing of swooping in for an attack on chickens right at your feet.....

It didn't use to be like that. At one time hawks were almost afraid to even look at a chicken but the extension of the migratory bird act to include even non migratory hawks has embolden chicken hawks.

 

[starrmar006]

I live in the woods for 4 years and had chickens for 3, I NEVER had a chicken swooped up by a hawk or seen a hawk flying around Iv had ground predators (Coyote, raccoon etc.) and air predators (eagles, owls, etc.) but Iv never seen a hawk it must be scary to see a hawk swoop down and get a chicken.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I live in the woods for 4 years and had chickens for 3, I NEVER had a chicken swooped up by a hawk or seen a hawk flying around Iv had ground predators (Coyote, raccoon etc.) and air predators (eagles, owls, etc.) but Iv never seen a hawk it must be scary to see a hawk swoop down and get a chicken.

We basically live in between 3 fields. Generally the swooping I see is for field mice. I’m glad my chickens were penned otherwise the outcome might no that have been a super good.
My son said he saw an owl perched on top of our building about a month back (before chickens). I think free ranging is out for us.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Yes. I thought i was the only one that noticed the feet not being yellow. I thought that it could just change color throughout time like other birds do .

Some hawks do change feet color, but it’s like a pale blue/grey to the yellow. These feet look much darker than that. I’ve been looking for an ID, but can’t find one.
Maybe post a new post asking for an ID. Probably someone with more knowledge than me can figure out what type of bird it is.

 

[lazy gardener]

The feet of that bird did not look like a raptor. I did an extensive google search and could not find any thing even remotely resembling it in either coloring or size. Wonder if it's an "accidental"

 

[Scott214]

Well thanks for everyone’s help with it! Wow byc is the best! Who knows it coulda been a new species? Yeah right lol just hope it decides to stay further away.