Red-tailed Hawk landing on nest, Bobst Library, NYU, New York City

Fledgling picks flowers – July 24th, 2018

I spent a little over half an hour looking for Red-tailed Hawks in Washington Square Park but was having no luck at all. I walked north to look for the Hawk fledglings because I had seen one of them a few blocks north of the park a few days ago.

I spotted what looked like a Hawk eating on the corner of the Cardozo Law School building:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on roof of Cardozo Law School building NYC

It was one of the fledglings! I realized later by its markings that it was F1, the first Hawk to have fledged this season:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on roof of Cardozo Law School building NYC

It had been eating on the building top. It moved to the northern corner of the building after four minutes:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling walking on NYC building roof
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on NYC building roof corner

This building is located at 5th Avenue and 12th Street (several blocks north of the park). It’s a popular spot for the adult Hawks.

I had to wonder if one of the adult Hawks dropped off the food there or if the fledgling caught its meal itself. I haven’t seen the fledglings catch meals for themselves so far this season but they’re advanced enough to be able to hunt on their own.

I had to walk further north to get a good view of the fledgling’s new location:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on NYC building roof

I watched it cavort on the building top for the next hour:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on NYC building
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on NYC building wings stretched
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling on NYC building pipe
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling landing on NYC building

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling landing on NYC building top
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling preening on NYC building top
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on NYC building top
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting NYC building

The rascal walked over to some potted flowers and started picking them off their stems:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling biting flowers on NYC building

It walked to the other side of the ledge, rested for a few minutes, then returned to the flowers:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling standing on NYC building
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling picking flowers
Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling standing on building ledge

What I think was a Cooper’s Hawk flew past:

Coopers Hawk flying over NYC

There are almost always raptors around. You just have to remember to look up for them!

One Fifth Avenue in the distance:

One Fifth Avenue building in the distance

The fledgling settled down so I got closer and took this parting shot:

Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk fledgling resting on NYC building

I returned to Washington Square Park to look for the other Hawks but didn’t see any during my search.


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7 thoughts on “Fledgling picks flowers – July 24th, 2018

  1. Who knew that hawks played!??! Yet another marvelous reason that your viewing community finds your pictures & comments so invaluable. While perhaps not “scientifically rigorous” – the insights you have given us into the RTHs lives, and their interactions with the outside world – avian, human, prey, architectural! are outstanding. What a joy to be able to peek inside and gain happiness from something we’d know nothing about were it not for your dedicated hours (and technical ability) of reporting. Thank you so much!

    1. Thanks, Susan! It is the fun I have (and fascination I feel) while I observe them navigate through their new world is what I often hope most to convey. Thank you!

  2. Nesting instincts surfacing early in the formation of skills ? or..just curiosity at “things” sticking up in the air?

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