I saw this while driving. I took the picture from a distance on the side of a road. This bird was in the woods and seemed to stay within it. I believe it is a red-shouldered hawk.
Red-Shouldered Hawk -This one I added colour to.Red-Shouldered Hawk- This one I did not add colour.
I had one person look at the back of the camera and he thought that is what it was. Also, that is the first choice the Merlin App gives for it. The second choice was a broad-winged hawk. The lighting was not great and it was taken from quite a distance. The photo is also heavily cropped and lightened. The colours may not be totally accurate. It appears to be an immature. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
The short-eared owls do not always come up during good light. So what do you do? We can watch the accommodating Red-Tailed Hawk.
Red-Tailed Star 2 – landing on a post
This hawk stays close to where the photographers and other visitors are allowed to stand. She goes between a roof, chimney, posts, trees etc. She provides us all ample opportunities to see her. She even lands on the railing of the photography platforms while people are on it.
Red-Tailed Star 2 – with a vole
Sometimes she brings the voles she catches to a post to sit on and eat in full view.
Red-Tailed Star 2 – with a vole- close up
I walk this location in warmer months when all the trails are open. You can stop anywhere on the trails around this place and hear a vole moving around in the grass. I think all the owls and hawks do not have to worry about competition or their food supply.
Red-Tailed Star Two- Flying Up to a PostRed-Tailed Star 2- Actively Hunting From a Post
Wildlife is fun to watch, especially when they are so accommodating. Have a great rest of your week.
I saw this hawk on the campus of a local university. The Merlin app only assigns the red tailed hawk to these images, so I will have to assume that is what it is.
Educated Red-Tailed Hawk
I was hoping to see this bird fly. Although it did look like it was actively hunting looking for mice etc. It did not move on from this spot while I was there.
Educated Red-Tailed Hawk
I was walking in an open area and on the return I heard the call of a red tailed hawk coming from the woods, so I am assuming it may have been this bird.
Educated Red-Tailed Hawk
I know a lot of schools in New York had off today for Veteran’s Day. I understand some in Connecticut may have had classes. I know of some veteran’s who were asked to go in and speak at one school. Since the numbers of people in this country who have actually served in the military are decreasing, maybe a day in school inviting in those who served would be a better use of time. If you served in the military, thank you for your service!
What do you think of when you hear the term “gray ghost?” For some it brings to mind the football player, Tony Canadeo, who played for the Green Bay Packers many years ago and earned his place in the Hall of Fame. Some people think automatically of of Bruce Wayne’s hero in Batman. Others think of Confederate soldier Mosby who led raids on Federal supply lines during the US Civil War and was known for his ability to appear, disappear, and blend in with locals. But did you know there is a hawk that is known as the gray ghost? The male northern harrier has that nickname.
The Gray Ghost
Males have different colouring than females. All the pictures shown here are male northern harriers.
The Gray Ghost It flys just above and among the tops of the tall grasses.
Diet
Northern harriers eat small rodents such as mice and voles. The location of these pictures appears to have many mice and voles. Amongst other things they eat small rabbits and other birds. They say many farmers like northern harriers because they eat mice that damage crops. Harriers are sometimes called “good hawks” because they pose no threat to poultry as some hawks do.
The Gray Ghost – The one above has blood on its claws from the last catch.
How they Hunt
Northern harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas during the daytime. I frequently see them flying in the late afternoon before the owls come up. When hunting, harriers circle an area several times listening and looking for prey. They can hover and make sharp turns. When they spot prey, they swoop down and grab the prey with their sharp claws. They will also steal prey from owls, which I have seen them try to do at the location pictured.
The Gray Ghost
Native American Symbolism
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife some Native American tribes believe that seeing a hawk on your wedding day is a sign of a long, happy marriage.
This bird has been ghost like and elusive to me. This is the first year I have seen it up close enough to get good shots. Maybe it was tired of the attention the owls were getting. Have a great rest of your week.
The main attraction at one place I visit is short eared owls. I usually can only go during the weekend. Too many people are there then, so the owls do not come close to the areas you are allowed to stand while visiting. Occasionally, on a weekday they may come close to the photographers. However, so far I have only been able to stop by on one day during the weekends. Luckily this hawk has started to entertain us. I think it either wants to know what the fuss is, or it is a diva. The hawk seems to be saying, “Look at Me!”
Hawk Opening Act
I believe it is a red -tailed hawk. It is obliging and lands on trees, buildings, and posts. Sometimes the opening acts are better than the main show. Don’t discount them.
I have heard this weird squawk of a hawk the past few weeks in the woods. I have only seen the hawk on its own. Honestly the squawk is not exactly like the sounds I am hearing on different websites for a Cooper’s Hawk. I hear barred owls make sounds I do not hear on websites either though.
The hawk above is the original one I hear making the odd sound. In different light it appears to fit a Copper’s Hawk. It has orangish eyes and a blueish grey feathers on the back.
This one was with the original hawk on the same branch/ tree. This one was silent. I could not tell for sure, but it looked like it had prey by its feet. Something is coming out of its mouth on the left side.
In this light it looks like this second one has a blueish grey area on its back as well. I am guessing these are now a pair. Other hawks flying overhead in the same area were red tailed hawks. It seems like there are other birds of prey in the area this year. It may be why I am hearing less bluejays, etc.
I could hear this hawk constantly on my walk when I got within earshot. I think Mettatsunami was correct. It was looking for a mate. Keep enjoying your weekend!
Name the hawk. Is it a red shouldered? A cooper’s hawk? The light situation was bad. Ad on top of it I just started using the Merlin Bird Identification App. and Merlin could not identify its call. I also could not get a picture of its back. It was facing me next to a hiking trail with its back to a busy road, so the recording I tried to make was not good quality with cars passing by.
This guy must not have been in hunting mode. He is giving himself away with his call.Looks like he is going to fall over here.
It sounds kind of like this call from All About Birds, A Red Shouldered.
So, what’s your verdict? I am leaning towards red-shouldered because its call is closer than the ones I hear of the Copper’s Hawk. Regardless, is it a juvenile? Obviously, I am not a bird expert.
Is this a red-shouldered hawk? Another one was nearby and kept calling to it. The call sounded like the call of a red shouldered I heard online. What do you think?
If you have nice weather tomorrow, get out and enjoy it. For some it may be the calm before the storm.
Do red tailed hawks have a sense of smell? This one makes me wonder. One of the hawk’s go to spots to perch is on top of a wildlife refuge’s latrine chimney.
I call this hawk Diva, because it seems to want all the attention at the refuge. It seemingly poses for photographers.
These were taken yesterday. It was sunny, but very windy and frigid. What do you think? Do hawks have a sense of smell?
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 