A close encounter with a stunning juvenile Red Shouldered Hawk in perfect morning light. This is the clearest video i've ever captured of a raptor in the wild. It is checking out the new Backyard bird studio I'm working on so this was a big bonus. More on that soon.
Filmed with Canon SX70HS on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/2SBe0mT
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Spunky Red Winged Blackbird attacks large Red Shouldered Hawk hunting on a fence post in marshland. The unprovoked attack seemed like a spur of the moment drive-by! Even though the Blackbird bounced off the hawk and the hawk barely took notice he's still a Boss!
Close-up look at how a Blue Jay intimidates and then gives chase to a very large Red Shouldered Hawk - the top of the Backyard food chain. The Blue Jays are "Backyard Superheroes" flaring every feather on their body to look big and with their beak held wide open to appear more dangerous they are a sight to behold in slow motion as they attack the hawk - and then give chase! Blue Jays are nesting now and particularly vigilant - they also perform a valuable warning service for all the other Backyard critters - especially the squirrels!
A beautiful Red Shouldered Hawk has caught a Black Racer Snake and proceeds to eat it on a dead pine branch in the Backyard. Hawks sit on fences and watch for young snakes active in the daytime - not only are they easy to catch, but they are like tender gourmet food for the hawks.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is one of the most beautiful and distinctively marked hawks in North America. Adults are barred with rusty-red on the underparts and have bright rufous shoulders. Their underparts are dark brown, and the tail is black with 4 or 5 narrow white bands. When in flight, pale crescents in the wings are visible from below. They breed from northern California south to Baja, in the Midwestern United States east to New Brunswick; and south to the Florida Keys and Texas. Habitat. In Florida, Red-Shouldered Hawks nest in a wide variety of woodland habitats, but they are particularly identified with cypress swamps and river bottomlands. It most frequently still-hunts from a relatively low, inconspicuous perch but may also forage from a low, coursing flight (Palmer 1988; Johnsgard 1990). Its diet is characterized by sluggish, easily captured animals, such as toads, frogs, snakes, rodents, and small birds and their nestlings (Kimmel and Frederickson 1981, Palmer 1988, Kale and Maehr 1990). Typical nest sites are located in large mature trees with good canopy cover. A bulky well-built nest is usually placed a little more than halfway up the tree in a major fork (Kimmel and Frederickson 1981, Bednarz and Dinsmore 1982, Palmer 1988). Usually two whitish eggs marked with brown are laid and incubated for approximately 33 days. The young birds fledge at 40 to 45 days of age (Palmer 1988; Johnsgard 1990). Seasonal Occurrence. In Florida, Red-shouldered Hawks breed from January through May (Kale and Maehr 1990), or through June (B. Millsap, pers. commun.). Most birds reside in Florida, but the states' population is augmented in September and October by fall migrants from northern states.
Watching like a Hawk! - with piercing eyes a Red Shouldered Hawk lands on the backyard fence directly across from the Eastern Screech Owl nest box sending Mrs. Screech Owl diving for cover. I don't think the hawk saw the owl, but the Owl sitting on its perch inside the box saw the hawk. Typically this big hawk takes a Mourning Dove or Gray Squirrel once in awhile - it has a large territory. The Screech Owls dare not venture out in the daytime!
Red Shouldered Hawk calls at sunrise from atop the security light. It's mating season in Florida and if you listen closely you will hear another Hawk responding to the calls. You'll hear a number of other interesting birds calling at sunrise as well. It is rare that they sit still long while I'm filming them. A full time resident of the woods behind the backyard they are frequent backyard visitors and while they often catch snakes they also snatch the occasional squirrel and Mourning Dove from the feeders. The sound of the Red Shouldered Hawk will send the squirrels running for cover. Occasionally Blue Jays perform a pretty good imitation of the Hawk and seem to enjoy scaring the squirrels. The balance of Nature!
Red Shouldered Hawk looking for a meal in the backyard. This is why mother Screech Owl never leaves the nest box in daylight! The hawk seems totally unconcerned that I'm staring at it, although I'm no doubt cramping its style. A little shaky do to capture with a handheld point and shoot camera.
Male and female Red Shouldered Hawks have just completed a "sky dance" over the backyard (which I missed filming) and are resting high in a long-leaf pine tree. This would be a great place for a nest, but as you can hear the Blue Jays and squirrels are constantly sounding alarm trying their best to make them feel unwelcome in the neighborhood. Mating seems to be ahead of schedule this winter as a pair of Ospreys have also been "sky dancing" recently.
Young Red Shouldered Hawk Intimidated By A Mockingbird
I was treated to a rare sight the morning of March 28th when a young Red Shouldered Hawk was perched in the Chinese Tallow Tree overlooking the backyard looking to snag a bird for breakfast. A Mockingbird who along with the Blue Jays act as the security guards of the backyard quickly spotted the inexperienced young hawk out in the open and proceeded to attack it and chase it off. This is common behavior, but not easy to catch on video. Had to act fast and shoot through the window. A raptor at rest is at a distinct disadvantage when attacked in the roosting position or even in the air, in this case the fast and nimble Mockingbird is safe when on the offensive and in close quarters. Hawks take unsuspecting prey such as Mourning Doves where there is an open area and they have a chance to build up speed. Below are two photos of mature hawks that frequent the backyard. Blue Jays will often do a pretty good imitation of a hawk call and can be particularly nasty in small groups.
