Comments on: Washington Square Hawks’ mellow day – September 21st, 2018

By: Roger_Paw

Roger_Paw — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 14:10:55 +0000

In reply to Shirley. About them leaving meals: I think I've only once seen an interloper Hawk come into the park and pick at the WSP Hawks' leftovers. It was a pigeon left in a tree if I remember correctly. But that was the only time in eight years so that's not too bad. The Hawks defend their territory quite well. I haven't followed other raptors so closely so I couldn't say if Eagles or Osprey do the exact same but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:32:38 +0000

I am thinking those pigeons are of the messenger variety! Or maybe charades pigeons – using action and sound to provide hints regarding their message rather than waiting for a message to be tied to a leg. LOL One thing that was surprising regarding hawk meals was the way they leave parts of meals in various places and come back later to finish their dining. You would think they would worry about other raptors doing grocery shopping where the hawks have left parts of meals. I have never seen eagles or osprey do that – have you Roger Paw?

By: Roger_Paw

Roger_Paw — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 19:02:29 +0000

In reply to Susan Addelston.

Hi, Susan! From what I’ve seen, the Hawks will eat once or twice a day.

If it’s vermin on the menu, they’ll often eat two or three mice at once and typically one rat in one feasting (our rats are awfully big and probably filling enough for a while). But in the winter you will regularly see them eat more than one rat at night because they need the food to generate more body heat overnight.

I don’t recall seeing them eat more than one squirrel or pigeon in one meal during the summer. Their summertime meal can last them a whole day.

I haven’t looked into it but I gather squirrels have more meat/calories than pigeons. Our rats are huge but not squirrel-huge (although it’s close)! 🙂

By: Susan Addelston

Susan Addelston — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 12:06:55 +0000

Hi!
Do you have any idea of how often the hawks actually catch prey? During baby-raising, it was several times a day I thought, but once those demands are over – wonder how often they actually catch/eat? Does a pigeon give them more calories than a squirrel or rat? Any way of figuring that out without further adding to all of the time & effort you devote to them?! Thanks!…Susan