by DJ Featherton
Do hawks come to our backyard feeders? Well, yes, but not for the seed or berries. The most common hawks watching your feeder would be the Coopers Hawk or the Sharp-shinned Hawk. These two hawks are very similar woodland hawks and can come crashing through thick branches and bramble at lightning speed and then disappear with an unsuspecting backyard bird clutched firmly in his talons. It all happens in the blink of an eye. It will make your heartbeat!
Other hawks may frequent your feeder. A great big Red-Tailed Hawk can perch in a far-off tree and wait for the right moment to stoop on that glutinous squirrel who lets his guard down while lost in his lunch. BAM! That’s one less squirrel as Mr. Red Tail stays at the feeder to begin his meal before flying off to finish back in the trees. This is nature at its best, and one less squirrel to outsmart at the feeder. Relative to where you live and your backyard environment, other kinds of hawks may be watching your feeder. Obviously, the more active feeders draw the most attention. Our home in Florida was rich with birds. We had a large, live-oak tree on one side of the yard with a very active feeder underneath. There were lots of mourning doves that would hang around, perched on a limb of the tree. It was not uncommon to see the neighborhood Coopers Hawk snatching a dove, then eating part of it on the ground and leaving a fluff of feathers behind. We called that feeder our “hawk feeder.”
Because this drama happens so fast and is seen so infrequently, it looks invasive and destructive to our well-cared-for backyard birds. Many would like to do something about those awful hawks. Without resorting to violence, just stop putting feed out for the birds for a month. That will change the hawk’s routine. And don’t forget, all of your backyard birds seem to know when a hawk is in the area and will fly off to find cover. Don’t ask me how they know that. For me, however, hawks are just a part of nature at my backyard feeder and are a lot better than the more frequent cats that hunt the night.
Owls are out there, too, but they are nocturnal. It’s the rats and mice, cats and rabbits, the opossum and snake that Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls hunt at night. Large owls will take birds, also, but they prefer a heftier meal. Owls are well received by many, especially farmers, for keeping rodent populations down. I like the owls.
Hawks don’t eat hummingbirds. There was a study done where the hawk protected the hummers from predators like the Mexican Jay. The hummingbirds would actually build their nests near the hawk’s nest, knowing the Jays would be threatened by the hawk and their safety was assured. Any Jay that was tempted by the hummingbirds usually paid the price. Hummers and hawks were happy. This is like the Canada Geese that like to hang out around a Snowy Owl that roosts on the ground. The Arctic fox will eat a goose, but, the Snowy Owl will eat the fox. The geese feel safe even though they attract the fox, and the owl stays well fed.
Will a hawk come to backyard feeders? You bet! Maybe not as often as our other birds, but he will show up. He may have your feeder under surveillance from the rooftop next door right now. Ya gotta remember that hawks work hard to stay fed. Their strikes are only about 20% successful. That means lots of hunting! No matter, these birds are a thrilling part of my backyard bird community.
Maybe it is time to start looking at a motion sensor camera for the feeder. I am sure there would be some great photos, surprises, and a chance to find out what the heck goes on out there all night!
