Predator Identification, Bird of Prey (Warning: Graphic Pics!)

[darbella]

Quote:
I wish I had more of those "mauled" hawks in my yard...unfortunately I have the Tastes Like Chicken hawks. I have lost about a dozen since fall to that breed!

 

[centrarchid]

darbella,

Do you allow your flock continued free-range under predator pressure from hawks?

 

[darbella]

Quote:
I have 4 free rangers that are unphased by the hawks, they always manage to hide in the brush. I have lost most to the hawks finding ways to get thru 2 layers of deer netting and into the run. I have about 50 cd's hanging and also ziptied to the top of the netting, plastic owls on the top posts of an 8ft high run and even some crow decoys. Did you ever happen to watch my youtube video of the hawk that was in my run and managed to force himself out the corner of the netting when we were trying to figure out how to get a blanket on him to get him out? If you search darleen bellan on youtube you will pull up the video. The hawks around here are not fearful of people, they are so plentiful, one even swooped down at me and grazed my face with its wing this past fall.

 

[BrattishTaz]

Quote:
Many Coopers and a few sharp-shinned hawks stay at least as far north as I am. Numbers are droping now either because of moving further south or failing to survive. Very soon they will be moving north again with slight uptick in losses of chickens to Coopers but should not be nearly as heavy as seen in fall. Fewer hawks alive for north bound trip.

I learned something new, thanks! Seems like they all come to FL for winter vacation!

You beat me to it, Nathhowe! I was going to say most of them are sitting in the trees behind my coop waiting for an opportunity to get my chickens! I saw two males fighting today, I guess they both want to mate with our year round resident female Cooper. I wish they would hurry up and go back up north!