Red-tailed hawks prefer open country. They are easy to spot soaring over fields or sitting on power poles or fence posts along highways. It’s unusual for them to visit backyards—especially small ones—but we have one that didn’t get that memo. He’s been patrolling the neighborhood, and it’s giving the critters fits. I’m all for it if it will reduce the rabbit population. I had baby bunnies popping out of my garden this summer like popcorn at a concession stand.
Red-tailed Hawks weigh about twice as much as Gray Squirrels or American Crows (up to 3 pounds). If one takes off from a power line attached to your house you’ll know it because the wire will dance up and down and smack against your siding. It’s caused me to jump out of my chair more than once.
They make the classic raptor scream that you hear in movies (or on “The Wonderful World of Disney” documentaries for those of you that remember the good ol’ days). I used to know when our hawk was in the neighborhood until a few weeks ago. Now when I hear the high-pitched call, I have to look out the window and make sure it’s not this character:
Blue Jays are excellent mimics and the Red-tailed Hawk is one of their favorite calls. I’ve heard other Blue Jays attempt to mimic Red-tailed Hawks in the past, but I could always tell the difference. Not any more. This Blue Jay could win an academy award for Best Sound. It’s uncanny.
Scientists still haven’t figured out exactly why Blue Jays mimic hawks. Are they warning other birds of a hawk’s presence? Are they scaring other birds away so they can hog the feeder and not have to mingle with the “little people”? Or are they just plain having fun?
I like to think it’s the last option.