Crocuses Flowering

[digitS']

"Turkey Vultures have been increasing in number across Northward America since the 1966 ... were threatened by side-effects of the pesticide DDT ... fall victim to poisons or lead in dead animals."

There is where the conservation efforts had to take effect.

"Despite their size, Turkey Vultures are often driven off by smaller Black Vultures, Crested Caracaras, Zone-tailed Hawks, and other species." link

My mentioning both (other) species of hawk reflects what I might see soaring in the sky on a summer day. They would come in contact and conflict, perhaps. I have seen Sharp-shinned fly straight up at soaring Redtails, probably to threaten them away from nest sites. Eagles and Osprey "cruise," often above water.

Another shift in population I've noticed is with those Sharp-shinned. Kestrels were once common in nearby farmland. Since I see Sharp-shinned in cities as well as suburbs, humans are probably responsible for decreasing one favorable environment while increasing the other. The benefits of English sparrow and Starlings populations, must favor the new guy. Kestrel hawks always seemed to be interested in small rodents. I never see them these days! Oh, I see the rodents ... hopefully the Redtails and owls do, too!

@so lucky , I wouldn't "trust" a Redtail with a chicken. All of the birds of prey are remarkably aggressive carnivores. That doesn't mean we need to shoot them outta the sky. ... i wonder what air pollution does for bird populations ... maybe, i don't want to know ...

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

There is a small hawk that blasts through my feeding zone occasionally, but he's so fast I never get a good look at him. I'm not good at raptor ID, other than when they are soaring above me and I can concentrate on their markings and look them up.

Redtails, Bald eagles and Osprey are easy, but I wouldn't know a Ferruginous or Sharp Shinned hawk if they ran onto me. Guess I should pull out the bird books...

Turkey vultures were very common where we lived down south. I was fortunate to have a job for a few years as a stable hand/gardener/ Girl Friday and could ride my horse the 3 miles to work. My shortcut took me through fields where the vultures would gather in a eucalyptus tree, and on the ground under it. They appeared to be having a conference and would watch me solemnly as I rode by.
I always tried to appear as alive as possible.

 

[digitS']

I'm no expert and have mixed up my bird names in the above post, @thistlebloom !

The Kestrel is what I was thinking may have been displaced by the Sharp-shinned! Should I go back and edit that?? I think I will since I've confessed here!

You may have the Merlin hawk fly through out there! Long wings or short ...?

Wings and tails - you can't go by color too well. And, size is misleading since most male hawks are quite a lot smaller than females.

Steve

 

[digitS']

Kestrels, Merlins ... Minstrels, Marlins ... this tablet's autocorrect hates them all! (Sharp-skinned, -thinned ... )

The other falcon besides the first two, aforementioned ... you might see is the Prairie falcon, @guidebook . He probably won't be flying through in your trees, tho.

I never see them except in real open country and when it's windy. Here's one of the fastest birds on Earth and he will be kiting along about 6' above the ground over every Palouse hill and dale ... special bird .

Steve
@guidebook ??! Ha Ha Ha @thistlebloom !!!

 

[Smart Red]

Kestrels are all over the area. I know they are a hawk but I don't usually associate them with the soaring birds. Kestrels are more likely to be sitting in a tree or on a power line watching and waiting and feasting on rodents along the roadside.

 

[thistlebloom]

@guidebook ??! Ha Ha Ha @thistlebloom !!!

Your auto correct doesn't know me very well @digitS' .

 

[Nyboy]

Red I had to save a red sex link from a red tail. He was on top of her pinning her to the ground. No doubt he would have killed her, might not have been able to fly away with her, would have dined right there.

 

[Smart Red]

Red I had to save a red sex link from a red tail. He was on top of her pinning her to the ground. No doubt he would have killed her, might not have been able to fly away with her, would have dined right there.

My chickens free-range, but they will spend their day in the coop when hunting hawks are circling overhead. My red-tails seem to prefer snake to chicken (knock on wooden desk), but the birds keep a wary eye on the sky.

I have seen a red-tail streak through the woods at head height, so I know hiding in the woods in summer isn't a sure thing for my flock, but so far free-ranging has worked for me.

 

[Carol Dee]

From early blooming flowers to hawks and bird I.D. I love TEG! This part of IA I see lots of red tail, kestrel and bald eagle.

 

[ninnymary]

Your auto correct doesn't know me very well @digitS' .

This is as bad as when I tried to use the @ in front of the name and I wrote @steve

Mary