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Backyard Baby Hawk
Written on Monday, August 04, 2008 by That's Camping
Article Categories: Photos • Wildlife
UPDATED! see below
We have what looks like a baby hawk - possibly a Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk. They all look very similar in my Sibley field guide (a book that I highly recommend).
(More photos @ my flickr account)
Here’s the story: Last night (Sunday) Mike noticed something on the tar in front of the shed. At first, he thought it was a piece of wood; Then he saw it move. He yelled to me to check it out, and I went onto the outside deck to look. Of course, I grabbed my camera. Its back was to us initially, and its tail looked a bit bent or sideways. Then he turned around, and we saw his profile. He was gorgeous. It was so thrilling to see.
I went to get a closer look outside on the grass nearby, and he didn’t fly away, which led me to believe that perhaps he was injured or wet, or maybe just too young to fly. We just had a very big rain t/-storm and I thought perhaps he was drying out.
It was going to be dark soon, and I didn’t want him to be injured or killed by the night creatures (fisher cats, foxes, coyotes, etc) so I went online trying to find information about wildlife rehabilitation; after leaving several messages on answering machines, at around 8pm, I got a return call from Jim Parks from Wingmasters.net.
He explained that it was very common to find babies that fall from trees. They are at the “branching” stage, and cannot fly yet. They walk out onto a branch, and a big wind or rainfall can knock them off the branch and onto the ground. Jim was very nice, and said that if he was still there tomorrow, to give him a call, and he could come out and see what’s up. But he explained that I shouldn’t be upset, because it’s just nature, and sometimes we can’t help what’s meant to happen.
Anyway, we watched him hobble / hop from the tar to the grass and in between a ladder and a big tree. He ended up moving himself under our utility trailer where he stayed for the night. Mike checked on him later and early Monday morning and he was still there. I also checked this morning around 8am, and he is still under the trailer.
Latest UPDATE: I gave Jim another call this morning, and he said that from looking at the photos I emailed, it is a Cooper’s Hawk. He said they do not do well at all in captivity, and have never survived, so unfortunately he doesn’t want to take him in. He also told me that they are very secretive birds, and the parents wouldn’t be making any "noise" because they don’t want to draw attention to themselves.
Also the Cooper’s Hawk is becoming more popular, because of all the bird feeders, they feed mainly on little birds. I did throw the little guy some tuna, and he said that they do not "smell" food, but it might attract rodents that he could eat. He is not worried about him finding food, that there is plenty of grubs and rodents around.
When I arrived home this afternoon, I immediately checked under the trailer, and our little Coopers Hawk is gone! Our backyard is wooded, w/ lots of brush, vines, & leaves, so I am hoping that he either found a better hiding spot, or his mom came and helped him, or maybe he tested his wings and was able to fly.
I did check for loose feathers under the trailer, and there was none, so I am thinking only positive thoughts. I miss the little guy, silly, but it was one of the most exciting things to happen, and I am a little sad that it’s over.
At least I have some photos & I learned a lot about a wonderful creature!
Some links about hawks and Coopers Hawk specifically:
Article Categories: Photos • Wildlife
Comments
The comment area is open for approximately one year after the article date.
Feeds on little birds and rodents? We need some of those hawks at home as well as up at camp.
Very nice pictures, thanks for sharing!
Posted by Bob (NEC) on 08/05/08I am sorry to say that our little friend didn’t make it. Mike found his little body in a little walk space between our RV and the porch.
I was very sad…
Posted by That's Camping on 08/07/08
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