Weird Hawk Behavior...

[sourland]

Here in NJ the annual hawk migration has started already. I'm guessing it started early this year because of the drought. A lot of the birds moving through are immature and very hungry. They may have been raised in the wilds of Canada and know nothing about humans. I have had Coopers hawks fly against my pigeon aviaries while I am standing there feeding. Redtails and other hawks can kill larger prey. They will simply eat it where they have killed.

 

[Daringescape]

Does anyone have any opinions on shooting at hawks - even with a pellet gun? I have a hawk that harasses my girls as well. I have thought about taking a shot, but I feel kind of bad about it. I live in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so I wouldn't think of using a real rifle.

 

[chickenlady08]

Quote:
Please be careful when you say that you want to take a shot at one. THESE are PROTECTED birds of prey. There was a post I read about someones neighbor killed a hawk and then left it and neighbors saw it. He got a fine of $5000 and not sure about if he had to serve jail time or not. But don't shoot them or you can get into loads of trouble.

Not that I want them to come and feast on my birds, but don't want to have to give the government more $$$$.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
They are protected, so if you feel that is your only way to control them..I would NOT post it or TELL anyone about it...

 

[Debbi]

Hmm, makes me want to find some Crow eggs and incubate them! The crows here do a good job of keeping the hawks at bay. Wonder if it is illegal to hatch out crows as a natural hawk guardian?? If it is, it shouldn't be!

 

[featherbaby]

I had a hawk fly into my sunroom window after my cage of finches. He hit so hard it knocked him out and he lay on the deck for a few minutes. I thought he was dead, but didn't venture out right away. In about 15 minutes he shook his head and got up. For the next hour he PACED up and down the deck, looking in the windows of the sunroom, obviously trying to find a way to get in. I had to close all the blinds so he couldn't see my indoor birds to get him to leave. Talk about calculating!!!!!

 

[mdbokc]

I have found that I am keeping more crows around by watering the lawn and/or grassy areas along a fence line. If the ground is consistently wet enough that they think worms and bugs are there, they will come. My experience this summer with trying to keep crows nearby. I tried the feeding mentioned on an earlier thread but no response. But wet ground draws them. And they stay around for awhile.

 

[silkiechicken]

As far as I'm concerned, I don't encourage other birds to come about. Crows seem just to be a nuisance to hawks and don't actually drive anyone off. That said, city crows have been known to pull chicks out between wires and eat them.

 

[annie3001]

listen to this one:
my vet tells me not to worry about hawks, that they wont bother my big girls. dont know, but when i hear them or see them, i go outside and make sure the hawks see me.
i am cautious but still dont understand why the vet would tell me that.

oh and the vet owns lots of chickens too!

 

[annie3001]

Quote:
wow crows huh? wow