Hawk Problems

[Amy and Annabelle]

We live in the country and have a big fenced in area for Annabelle to run around in. Lately there has been a hawk watching and circling her from above. Today he swooped down to try to get her and luckily I was able to get there in time to scare him off. I don't know what to do other than have my neighbor shoot it down or keeping her on the 6ft leash at my side. She weighs 14lbs and even if she is too big for him to carry off, he still might hurt her trying. Any other suggestions?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I find this odd.  14 pounds is HUGE for a bird of prey.  Do you know what type of hawk?   Many have preferred meals and most often they are much smaller than a dog or cat.   For example, Red Shoulder Hawks prefer amphibious meals: toads, frogs, earth worms, etc.     Falcon types prefer  small birds. Other types such as Osprey and Eagles prefer fish but will go the simplest route when hungry many times.   It is difficult, but maybe you could find out what type of  hawk for me.  I do love my birds and would try to help you.   A Great Horned Owl. a huge bird of prey,  will go after larger prey such as skunks, but still, a skunk is only a pound or two.  

Maybe that is your answer.  Give the hawk something to eat.   Put up a bird feeder. 

Do you have mice?    

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

On a positive note, the  nesting season is just about over.  Most have fledged and will leave the area. Many will migrate.  Since you say you often see two of them, my thoughts are you have a nest nearby but that nest is just about over if not already.  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I know - 14# yikes.  I would have to see it to believe it!  I am going googling to see if true.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Note here, many of these birds mate for life. Shooting them is so NOT an option 

Do read the Migratory Bird Act of 1918

The fines are some of the greatest we have in this country and for a very good reason. So, no, dont shoot.  Do contact your local agencies and let them know and ask them how to handle this little brat of a bird. They would Love to help you. Michigan has some GREAT birding organizations. If you are close to Ohio, let me know .  I still think,  you have their nest nearby and it is not for food, but the dog is coming too close.  

[Amy and Annabelle]

We don't have any big trees in our property that are close to the house. All the bigger trees are way out on the edge of the property line where we don't venture. We live on a few acres and most of our trees have been planted in the last five years, so not big enough for a hawk nest. Then farmland on the other side. The closest neighbor has a newer house, less than 10 years old and what few trees he has on our side are too small for a hawk too. There is just no where close enough for them to have nest where my dog would be a concern.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I don't know my hawks. He is huge and almost looks like an eagle but probably smaller. I don't remember seeing any red on it. His talons were pretty big. We don't have mice, so something must be taking care of them, but we don't have snakes either. We have those mole things that live under ground and tunnel through your roots. The hawk could have those crazy things. Whether he could have carried her off or not, I don't know, but I don't really want to find out either. If I hadn't been there, I think he would have at least made an effort.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I happened upon this from the Hawks Aloft - Conservation Avian Research-

"Can a raptor carry away/eat my pet?

As pet-owners ourselves, we share your concern for the safety of your pet. Raptors hunt a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, rabbits, snakes, and insects. Large raptors, such as Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls, can attack and kill small pets. We have received dozens of inquiries about dogs and cats weighing anywhere from 6 to 60 pounds. There is no specific cut-off weight at which your pet’s safety is guaranteed. If the size of your dog or cat is similar to or not much larger than naturally occurring raptor prey, there is a risk, not just from predatory raptors, but also from urban coyotes.

We recommend that, for animals that weight less than 15 pounds, that you supervise all of their outdoor activities and that all cats be kept indoors at all times."

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

interesting.

Well then, Michigan is a huge birding state because of the migration path to Canada runs right through Ohio and Michigan. They are well -organized and very involved in your area.  Do contact your local agencies and ask what you can do.  They will be extremely helpful in your situation. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My Ohio Birding Group is fantastic with many scientists and biologist that freely give their opinions  LOL   Maybe too much sometimes.   It looks like your Michigan Group, with 1,800 members has some of the same.

Do, join this Facebook Group and ask for help or opinions.  They will give you  honest feedback and are very knowledgeable.

Good luck and let us know what they say. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdingMichigan/

[Amy and Annabelle]

Thanks Joanne

[Amy and Annabelle]

Might have figured out the problem...or it could just be a coincidence. Maybe it is the red frisbee that Annabelle was playing with the other day when the hawk swooped down. He was going after Annabelle for sure, but she was pawing at the frisbee and flipping it over when that happened. We had been flying it earlier, but not right then. Today we were out with the frisbee and about 6 hawks were circling above. I happened to look up and said something like "holys***". I scooped up Annabelle who was next to me on her leash, and came in the house. My husband stayed out there to see if they left. It took awhile but they finally did. The red frisbee is staying in the garage. Hopefully it is that simple. We just got the red one, we have had a blue one.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Wow, six at a time.  Could they be vultures instead?  They are in large groups.  If it is a hawk, sounds like a newly fledged nest. Typically, hawks are more solitary than larger groups.  I'm no expert just a person with lots of interests in birding. 

Never heard of the color red attracting but sometimes a white flag will attract some species of birds.  Dont really know