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Your query wasn't really directed at me, but I'll chime in, if you don't mind. I've seen Buteos snag various birds , a lot. The zipping into the tree thing you describe is a favored tactic. I've seen Red Tails and Swainsons, both, snag pigeons out of trees and off power/phone lines, as well. The Buteos do tend to prefer non aerial targets, in seems. They are more of an air to ground attack bird., whereas such as Accipiters and Falcons will do the aerial turn and burn, more often than attacking a grounded target.
Its curious to me, that Shrikes are not listed as a raptor. They most certainly are effective hunters, and we even have a missile named after them. A radar seeking air to ground type, known for its terrain following ability and pinpoint accuracy. Just like its namesake. Lol. Thanks for letting me chime in, BTW.
I don't mind you chiming in at all-I appreciate your input and welcome anyone to answer my questions. Good info too, by the way. Thanks!
I think the hawks were attacking me, so it was self defense ! Did you know hawks taste just like chicken ?
Don
Oh, so I see, you're a troll, in addition to being a walking, talking sphincter. It's idiots like you who give responsible gun owners and hunters a bad name.
Jack, have you ever seen a buteo take a bird? I'm just wondering because I believe that I saw a red-tailed hawk take a bird (positive ID on the red-tail). There was a winter flock in a tree and the red-tail flew very quickly into the tree and out and I am very sure that it took a bird. I know that they tend toward taking rodents and reptiles. Thoughts?
I've never personally seen a buteo take a bird, but it seems very plausible that they could prey on birds which were perched on a branch or sitting on the ground (although small rodents as prey are the norm around here, all due to their hunting technique). It would be more difficult for them to take a bird in flight, because they aren't really built for a chase, but even that would be possible I would think. That would more likely be possible when smaller birds are mobbing a Red-tailed or other buteo in flight. The hawk could easily "roll" and snatch the bird in flight. I've heard that to happen--not sure if they made a meal of the victim. I've seen plenty of buteos roll in response to a pesky bird above, but I've never seen an actual grab. I've watched Cooper's Hawks go after chipmunks, so diets definitely can be varied! "Opportunistic" might be a better word.
Wait a minute! I just remembered: I have seen a buteo take a bird--and it was in flight! A few years ago, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk which was soaring high above a corn field. It dove down--in typical fashion as if going for a rodent on the ground--but about 10' above the ground level it snatched a Ring-necked Pheasant which was gliding in for a landing. The hawk rode the pheasant down to the ground--that was a huge meal for the hawk! Seeing that was truly amazing. I never would have guessed that a Red-tailed Hawk could take prey as large as a Ring-necked Pheasant--especially taking it out of the air! Still, the hunting technique was the same as normal. It wasn't "chasing" a bird in flight, it just dove down and struck it from above, knocking it out of flight. Thanks for jarring my memory!
Last edited by jackmichigan; 02-26-2015 at 12:17 PM..
If you find "hungry hawks" in your area and wish to save the songbirds, do what we do: set up a separate table with cat food on it. Yep, cat food. It's very high in protein (more so than dog food) and that is what raptors apparently want. We feed it to our poultry as well; I was very surprised to find that poultry are not granarians. They prefer a more high-protein feed. So - corn out, cat food in!
The Buteos do tend to prefer non aerial targets, in seems. They are more of an air to ground attack bird., whereas such as Accipiters and Falcons will do the aerial turn and burn, more often than attacking a grounded target.
I very much agree with your assessment...nice way to describe it, too.
I've never personally seen a buteo take a bird, but it seems very plausible that they could prey on birds which were perched on a branch or sitting on the ground (although small rodents as prey are the norm around here, all due to their hunting technique). It would be more difficult for them to take a bird in flight, because they aren't really built for a chase, but even that would be possible I would think. That would more likely be possible when smaller birds are mobbing a Red-tailed or other buteo in flight. The hawk could easily "roll" and snatch the bird in flight. I've heard that to happen--not sure if they made a meal of the victim. I've seen plenty of buteos roll in response to a pesky bird above, but I've never seen an actual grab. I've watched Cooper's Hawks go after chipmunks, so diets definitely can be varied! "Opportunistic" might be a better word.
Wait a minute! I just remembered: I have seen a buteo take a bird--and it was in flight! A few years ago, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk which was soaring high above a corn field. It dove down--in typical fashion as if going for a rodent on the ground--but about 10' above the ground level it snatched a Ring-necked Pheasant which was gliding in for a landing. The hawk rode the pheasant down to the ground and out of sight--that must have been a huge meal for the hawk! Seeing that was truly amazing. I never would have guessed that a Red-tailed Hawk could take prey as large as a Ring-necked Pheasant--especially taking it out of the air! Still, the hunting technique was the same as normal. It wasn't "chasing" a bird in flight, it just dove down and struck it from above, knocking it out of flight. Thanks for jarring my memory!
A pheasant is well within a Red Tails abilities. Our Red Tails , here are good sized birds. Bigger than a Prairie Falcon, and the latter take out pheasants and larger ducks, even.regularly. Picking the kill up and flying away with it is problematic, but a little surgery and they can pack off a large portion of it, if they choose to.
I've seen Red Tails kill , as you describe. They, unlike Falcons, do ride the prey to the ground, as you observed. Falcons hit it, hard, knock it down , and then land on it after its crashed.
If you find "hungry hawks" in your area and wish to save the songbirds, do what we do: set up a separate table with cat food on it. Yep, cat food. It's very high in protein (more so than dog food) and that is what raptors apparently want. We feed it to our poultry as well; I was very surprised to find that poultry are not granarians. They prefer a more high-protein feed. So - corn out, cat food in!
Definitely going to try this! Like the idea; hope it works.
Currently we've attracted a single turkey hen to our feeder, and the little ones love having her around as she deters the hawks. It's been interesting watching the feeder this year.
If you find "hungry hawks" in your area and wish to save the songbirds, do what we do: set up a separate table with cat food on it. Yep, cat food. It's very high in protein (more so than dog food) and that is what raptors apparently want. We feed it to our poultry as well; I was very surprised to find that poultry are not granarians. They prefer a more high-protein feed. So - corn out, cat food in!
Oh yea! Left to their own devices, chickens will eat each other. Last summer, we had a tomatoes worm invasion. Pulling them off plants by the, literal, bucket load. Fill bucket, go to chicken coop, empty bucket, feeding frenzy. Pieces of big green horn worms flying everywhere. Very satisfying carnage.
If you find "hungry hawks" in your area and wish to save the songbirds, do what we do: set up a separate table with cat food on it. Yep, cat food. It's very high in protein (more so than dog food) and that is what raptors apparently want. We feed it to our poultry as well; I was very surprised to find that poultry are not granarians. They prefer a more high-protein feed. So - corn out, cat food in!
Great idea. Yep, chickens eat plenty of protein rich insects, so not surprised at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NVplumber
Oh yea! Left to their own devices, chickens will eat each other. Last summer, we had a tomatoes worm invasion. Pulling them off plants by the, literal, bucket load. Fill bucket, go to chicken coop, empty bucket, feeding frenzy. Pieces of big green horn worms flying everywhere. Very satisfying carnage.
Too bad you ddidn't get that on video!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
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Anyhow, cats do not belong outdoors--especially feral cats. Since outdoor cats kill millions of birds each year, turn-about is fair play!
Cats do not belong outdoors? You do realize cats evolved and lived outdoors for millions of years, right? Feral cats are by their nature, outdoor animals, as are the vast majority of animals. And what's this beef about cats killing birds? Many animals kill birds, including as we've seen in this thread - other birds! As for cats, they kill far fewer birds than humans. We are by far the most destructive species. Btw there's a word for cats killing birds. That word is Nature.
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