Thwarted Hawk Attack

[GeeseMama]

So, a month ago I started seeing a Red Shouldered Hawk (which are stunning btw) hanging around near the main area where my birds free range. I was a bit concerned because while we have Cooper's, Sharp Shinned, and Red tails around as well the first two are generally too small to try to take. They mainly just harass the birds if anything. The red tails ( knock on wood) seem to have enough alternate food of choosing and leave the fowl alone. Plus they aren't essentially "bird Hawks". However, the Red shouldereds are considered to be "bird Hawks". (Explanation for my concern)
Fast forward to two days ago. I am outside getting some chores done when all of my fowl, not just the Guineas, start to alarm. In comes the red shouldered Hawk and he lands directly on top of Bull one of my female Guineas. Luckily, I was right there and he didn't see me because of placement of the wood pile. I ran toward them and was screaming and hopping around like a rabid frog trying to dance and it worked. The hawk released and I was able to get from Bull in time. Just some superficially wounds and ruffled feathers from the Hawks talons. You can see where in the picture. Close call. I am hoping that the hawk is frightened enough not to try again. Two for six saving my birds from predators this year. Unfortunately, the other four times were from the same domestic dog. Just thought I'd share a crazy bird lady story.

 

[ValerieJ]

Poor girl. But, how great that you thwarted the hawk!!! Good job!

 

[GeeseMama]

Poor girl. But, how great that you thwarted the hawk!!! Good job!

Thanks. My husband looked at me like I was crazy when I told him the story. I just think Bull and I got very lucky

 

[FortCluck]

I did the same with a bird of prey that was trying to take my Polish chicken. The bird was freaked out and I had to help it out of the fenced in area.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

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So, a month ago I started seeing a Red Shouldered Hawk (which are stunning btw) hanging around near the main area where my birds free range. I was a bit concerned because while we have Cooper's, Sharp Shinned, and Red tails around as well the first two are generally too small to try to take. They mainly just harass the birds if anything. The red tails ( knock on wood) seem to have enough alternate food of choosing and leave the fowl alone. Plus they aren't essentially "bird Hawks". However, the Red shouldereds are considered to be "bird Hawks". (Explanation for my concern)
Fast forward to two days ago. I am outside getting some chores done when all of my fowl, not just the Guineas, start to alarm. In comes the red shouldered Hawk and he lands directly on top of Bull one of my female Guineas. Luckily, I was right there and he didn't see me because of placement of the wood pile. I ran toward them and was screaming and hopping around like a rabid frog trying to dance and it worked. The hawk released and I was able to get from Bull in time. Just some superficially wounds and ruffled feathers from the Hawks talons. You can see where in the picture. Close call. I am hoping that the hawk is frightened enough not to try again. Two for six saving my birds from predators this year. Unfortunately, the other four times were from the same domestic dog. Just thought I'd share a crazy bird lady story.

Wow, that’s amazing! Great job saving your bird!!! We have red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks here but have only had problems with the red-tailed hawks. We actually have a nesting pair of red-shouldered hawks on our property that we encourage since the red-shouldered hawks tend to leave poultry alone! We’ve only seen them catch snakes and frogs; they don’t seem to be interested in our birds. Unfortunately, a juvenile red-tailed hawk did manage to kill one of our ducks that we were letting free-range on our pond, when the duck came to shore to forage.

 

[GeeseMama]

Wow, that’s amazing! Great job saving your bird!!! We have red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks here but have only had problems with the red-tailed hawks. We actually have a nesting pair of red-shouldered hawks on our property that we encourage since the red-shouldered hawks tend to leave poultry alone! We’ve only seen them catch snakes and frogs; they don’t seem to be interested in our birds. Unfortunately, a juvenile red-tailed hawk did manage to kill one of our ducks that we were letting free-range on our pond, when the duck came to shore to forage.

Interesting how different their behavior can be dependent upon their habitat and readily available prey