Red Tailed Hawks

[D'Nese]

I need opinions on this. We have had a pair of Red Tailed Hawks nest in the tree on the property just adjacent to our land. It's been quite a wonderful thing to watch. I have seen other types of hawks migrate thru but we have had ANY issue's with hawk attacks. Do RTH's "scare" away all other raptor birds? I'm not complaining mind you but here's the strange thing that happened yesterday. We had big stoms come thru so everything and everybody is soaked to the bone out in the yard. Martins are on houses preening, giggling and socializing. I stepped out on the deck just to say hi after long day at work. Suddenly, a HUGH bird flew from the top of the power pole about 40 ft from the house. Made such a sound it actually startled me. I thought it was a GHO at first due to the size. Why weren't the martins and other birds at the feeders in a panic? It was business as usual. She flew away and it was like in slow motion too. We have never had any issue's with them attacking our colony and now I see they really aren't the fastest flyers or very stealth, LOL. But back to my original question? Will they keep away other raptors?

[Fatman608]

Hi D'Nese,

No, Red Tail Hawks will not keep other raptors away. RTH will keep other RTH and Red Shoulder Hawks away but will not stop Owls and small hawks like Coppers Hawks from hunting your area.

I have a RSH that I feed dead Starlings to and he does not stop the Great Horned Owl from hunting my area or the Screech Owls that nested in my Screech Owl box. Also, there is 2 Caracara Eagle that will come by and pick up any dead HOSP or Starlings that the RSH did not take.

The only 2 I worry able is the Coppers Hawk and the GHO with the Martins.

[Louise Chambers]

I would say that having Red-tailed Hawks nesting nearby could help deter owls, smaller hawks, and crows from nesting nearby. They all are potential predators of each other's eggs and young, and don't want to have each other for neighbors.

Fatman's observations are not in dispute, though, but what's true at one site may differ at another. I think it's good having red-tails nest near your site, most of the time. Rarely they have been reported preying on fledgling martins.

[Bob Allnock]

I have a pair of Red Tails nesting near my colony and have never presented a problem or even a concern for my Martins although they will take a crippled bird or fledgling that fell out of a nest if you don't get there in time.

I have had that happen once just as I was leaving the house to rescue the fledgling.

As far as keeping other raptors away, no, they do not at my colonies.

[RJM]

I witnessed a redtail hawk take a recently fledged Martin last year. I was surprised how quickly it occurred.

[Lewis]

When I was training bird dogs I kept a lot of pen raise bob white quail that I released for the dogs to point. Bob White quail will return to their pen if not shot or caught by a hawk or other predators. I lost a lot of quail to Cooper Hawks. I have had Red Tail Hawks nesting on my place for years and all I can say is when a Red tail Hawk would show up while I was training dogs the cooper hawk would disappear and not come back as long as the Red Tail was flying overhead.

Lewis

[Robbo]

We have alot of RTH's here and I have seen one crash into one of the Martin Houses. I don't know what it was after but I think it was looked funny and a beautiful bird. They don't deter Merlin's however.

[chickadee]

great horned owls are scared of nothing maybe man! they dont call them the flying tiger for nothing. just cage in your houses. i hear barreled owls in my front yard every night. and i have had nothing happen to my martins. maybe its my cages? even with hawks during the day if the martins where smart enough to know they could just sit their nothing could touch them!

[D'Nese]

Thanks for replies guys. Saw the hawk sitting on the pole again the following day. The martins don't seem to mind. I guess if the opportunity shows itself then the hawk will catch a young one or an injured bird. That's nature and there is nothing to stop that. My hope is that they won't be a problem and do keep other raptor birds away.....

[Dennis D]

I would say that having Red-tailed Hawks nesting nearby could help deter owls, smaller hawks, and crows from nesting nearby. They all are potential predators of each other's eggs and young, and don't want to have each other for neighbors.

Fatman's observations are not in dispute, though, but what's true at one site may differ at another. I think it's good having red-tails nest near your site, most of the time. Rarely they have been reported preying on fledgling martins.

That is what I have always heard also. I LOVE it when I see them around my house because of the Coopers that hunt the area. Never see the Coopers when the Red Tails are around. And the martins do not pay any attention to the big hawks.

[ToyinPA]

I saw a Red Tail Hawk being chased by my martins a few days ago. I think it got one of my ASY Males :(.


Toy in PA