Ok, not trying to be disagreeable, but I really dont think its a Peregrine, their range is expanding, but its not usually as inland as that yet. Also, theyre quite a bit smaller and racier than that. Theyre built for speed and kill using their momentum, usually smaller birds, pigeons and such are a favorite, but they CAN kill larger things. Theyre also pretty dark, and have these big chaps on their drumsticks. There are exceptions to all things though so I cant say for sure!
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Peregrine_Falcon.html
If I had to guess, and judging from the pictures which are really good BTW luvmychicknkids, dont apologize!, but if I had to guess Id say its a Red Shouldered Hawk!
Heres the page for that notice the light one part way down the page, says its the Florida coloration, but Id guess its not that far a trip as the hawk flies- plus, lots of birds have gotten blown around from hurricanes and storms, and just plain funky weather lately.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.html
I dont think its a Red Tailed, cause theres a good shot of your hawks backside, and her tail just doesnt look red enough, (they usually only look red from the back, underneath theyre lighter) heres the page for a red tailed too, just for good measure. Also, Red Tails are a little more chunky IMO, but again, its not easy to decide sometimes!
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-tailed_Hawk.html
As far as what to do to discourage them? Heh, folks here have come up with a lot of suggestions, I like strings zig zagging over where they usually range if possible, but lots of yards are too big for that, I have lots of cover and trees to string twine from, but it sure makes mowing the lawn interesting! Most is high enough, but not all. The songbirds have it all figured out, they think it's highly amusing, and the streamers and CDs hanging here and there just make them laugh... it's the bigger birds that it worries. (I hope!)
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Peregrine_Falcon.html
If I had to guess, and judging from the pictures which are really good BTW luvmychicknkids, dont apologize!, but if I had to guess Id say its a Red Shouldered Hawk!
Heres the page for that notice the light one part way down the page, says its the Florida coloration, but Id guess its not that far a trip as the hawk flies- plus, lots of birds have gotten blown around from hurricanes and storms, and just plain funky weather lately.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-shouldered_Hawk.html
I dont think its a Red Tailed, cause theres a good shot of your hawks backside, and her tail just doesnt look red enough, (they usually only look red from the back, underneath theyre lighter) heres the page for a red tailed too, just for good measure. Also, Red Tails are a little more chunky IMO, but again, its not easy to decide sometimes!
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-tailed_Hawk.html
As far as what to do to discourage them? Heh, folks here have come up with a lot of suggestions, I like strings zig zagging over where they usually range if possible, but lots of yards are too big for that, I have lots of cover and trees to string twine from, but it sure makes mowing the lawn interesting! Most is high enough, but not all. The songbirds have it all figured out, they think it's highly amusing, and the streamers and CDs hanging here and there just make them laugh... it's the bigger birds that it worries. (I hope!)
