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Bird Watchers

Back in the 1980's I told a co-worker in the Boston Financial District (we guarded a garage) that a hawk totally caught and ripped apart and ate a pigeon on Milk Street (Ben Franklin was born there). He didn't believe me.

TOT: Are American Eagles becoming pests?
 
Are the hawks as messy as our owls are? I'm always finding rabbit and chipmunk parts in the back yard. And, why don't the hawks eat more squirrels?
 
I sometimes find owl pellets and feathers but not much else. For the most part the hawks don't eat in the yard, they fly to woods at the fenceline. It's also probable that the dogs get to any gore before I see it. Ugh. There are feral cats around too, I know they come into the yard at night so they are probably cleaning it up for me. And yeah, no one seems to take the squirrels on, I have plenty of Red Tails around that could easily have a nice snack...
 
I suppose they are too squirrely ;) we've got enough grays to feed a whole flock of redtails, but the hawks, owls and other predators seem to leave them alone. The only thing that does get the squirrels are Firestone 255/70R14's ... and then the turkey vultures clean up.
 
If they get any birds here, we are usually left with just a mess of feathers. Small animals on the other hand end up being a bloody paw and an entrail or two right in the middle of the Patio, almost always at night, which is Owl time.
 
Not really, I get Sharpies and Cooper's hunting in the yard so that's pretty much the right size. Junco's are a smidge smaller and the Sharpie got it no problem.
 
I had a Cooper's chasing a Black Capped Chickadee one time. The Black Cap was feebeeing so loudly I heard him inside. Went out to look and there was the Cooper's sitting close by on a stump. Chased the accipiter, he circled around and started WALKING towards the bush where the Black Cap was hiding. If you have ever seen one of these birds walk --- they roll like the proverbially drunken sailor.

Chased him twice more and he finally got the idea and left.
 
I've not seen one walk, just hop because their talons are full.

I've also never intentionally chased one off. I put the feeders out knowing I was feeding all the birds, hawks included. I hate seeing the whole cycle in action but kind of enjoy it too, hawks are really cool. They all have to eat to survive, I'm not going to interfere with that. I just do wish they'd take the sparrows only. Nature ain't pretty sometimes but I respect it and let it take it's course as much as possible.
 
Today's visitors.

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I just had a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers in my front yard. I couldn't get a great pic, as they flew over to my neighbors yard. They are both on the tree in the center of this pic on the opposite side of the driveway (you can clearly see the red and white on the back of its head). They are huge. :eek:
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Unforgiven said:
They are about $125, so if I get one I'm putting it where the squirrels can get to it. I will need to be doubly entertained (birds and dizzy squirrels) to make it worth the money. :D
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I've got 2 of those. It is funny to try and watch the squirrels get into them. We also have a squirrel guard on the flat feeder.
 
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