Pair of nesting Hawks in my yard.....We have babies....

[SandraChick]

That's what I was going to say...

Definitively Red-shouldered hawk (wildlife biologist with 15 years experience in raptor surveys here).

Sandra

 

[Big Red's Mom]

Quote:
Are they rare birds? We have all kinds or Raptors around...

 

[SandraChick]

No they're not rare.

Many people think red-shouldered and red-tailed are the same...but they're not.

The red-shouldered have that striking white and black barred tail feathers.
They are more closely tied to water (creeks, ponds) and forested areas.

One thing for sure...red-shouldered are LOUD and constantly calling. Their call sounds like a very short and higher pitched version of a red-tail (the raptor you hear in the movies- they even use a red tail call for eagles in the movies--cuz eagle calls are not regal at all- they're actually dainty).

Anyway...it's a shorter version of the redtailed hawk and they do it over and over again....You'll know it soon enough!

Birds aren't high on their prefered food list...but with lots of hungry babies...they can go after your chickens. I have to say, though, that my sister has a redshouldered hawk nest nearby, and has never had a problem. She has a netted "roof" where she has chicks though.

Sandra

 

[selinagil]

Beautiful!!! I think your babies will be ok--my uncle and I both have hawks living near our coops and we let our chickens out to graze. We have never had any trouble or lost any to the hawks--I think they have a lot of smaller prey to eat---I would however not leave any small chicks out for a long time, I think they might be a more tempting treat. Thanks for the pics!!

 

[redhen]

thats like living right across the street from KFC for them!

 

[Big Red's Mom]

I was able to lighten the picture of one from the front. I had taken it into the sun...Also they have changed trees. They are across the small pond now. Higher up in another tree next to the water. One is staying very close to the nest all the time now. This nest is much larger and looks kinda like a bowl. When she (I assume) is in the nest all you can see is the tip of her tail. That is only when you stand right under the nest. Oh by the way they have moved closer to our house now....

OH I agree they are very loud and call allthe time...It is kinda nice because the chicken stay away.

 

[Big Red's Mom]

Well she is on the nest now all the time...We are giving her space so she will stay until the babies hatch. I think 31 days....We shall see....or hear I guess first....

 

[lisahaschickens]

beautiful pictures! And beautiful birds. However, I would not count on being as lucky as the people who have posted on here that have had no hawk problems. I just had a hawk attack last Friday and I chased it off my pullet and she was coughing up blood and in severe shock for about 24 hours. She did pull through and is OK now, but I was within a few yards of the attack and in direct line of sight and the hawk went for it anyway. Now I'm terrified to free-range them even when I'm right with them. I know many people have lost plenty of chickens to hawks... I would be extremely cautious. I find it very exciting that they have a nest for you to see like that and I really do love them, but they are incredibly fast, effective, and intelligent hunters and I would not think your birds are safe. Please keep a close eye on them!

 

[sandypaws]

GOOD!!!! most of the time a bird of prey WONT hunt around its nest... your chickens should be safe,, but so will the rats

 

[greathorse]

I have had a pair of red tails nesting in trees very close to my coop for three years. I have never had a problem with them. The chickens have pretty good cover with all the trees around and when I am at home and they free range the dog is usually in the area.

It doesnt seem like they will nest this year. Lucy (the dog) has grown more protective and more noisy this spring so maybe that is the reason. I will miss them. I also now have an owl that hangs out so maybe that was a conflict as well. I worry about the owl a bit but they are in the coop at night so hopefully it will be OK.