I watched on the live Hawk cam today as Sadie and Bobby spent some time tidying the nest.
Sadie gently pecked at Bobby’s beak while they chirped together at one point:
In this video you also see Bobby react to someone’s presence behind the window a few minutes before he leaves the nest.
Perhaps, Bobby had a bit of residue left on his beak post meal and Sadie was cleaning up her hawk.
Do hawks display any affectionate ritual to one another,Roger_Paw?
Should someone become aggressive to Sadie sitting on her nest of eggs…would Bobby defend his mate or the eggs? It did seem rather like a loving gesture, especially in the tidying the nest together….as a couple.
I would contend that yes, Bobby would swiftly come to Sadie’s defense should there be a threat. I’ve seen where someone had gotten close to the window when either Sadie or Rosie was on the eggs and Bobby flew to the nest and came between her and the window. I forget which year that was unfortunately!
Shouldn’t even be necessary at this point, but please can you – yet again! – TELL NYU people NOT to go near window, to peek out to do anything that disturbs the RTHs?! Really!
At least the scaffolding work seems to be done…
Year after year, the nest…. Isn’t it wonderful. Life goes on.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to witness the mating ritual of the red-tailed hawk just outside my window. My apartment was high up right next to a very tall pine tree. I saw a large female hawk on one of the inner branches holding a tree bower in her beak, and she was watching the male red-tail just outside the perimeter of the tree’s branches. He was turning and twisting up and down in the sky, opening his wings, then closing them, climbing high in flight and then diving and plunging in a full courtship display. It was magical and unforgettable, and it was clear these two lovebirds only had eyes for each other. If anyone doubts these birds do not love each other you need only to see this sky-dance and you will never forget it!!
I meant to say, If anyone doubts these birds love each other you need only to see this sky-dance and you will never forget it!! I’m sorry I typed it backwards. Wish I had had a camera because I could swear the female was smiling. A short time later I went outside and the female was on top of a pole, and the male passed over her head, and I could hear her speak to him, he heard her, and then she flew off the pole and followed him. I watched until they disappeared. A very special memory just a few years ago. Carlene
What a great sighting! It sounds unforgettable. I’m glad you shared it with us. Thank you!