Hawk!

[Domothebudgie]

i was walking gonzo with my mom and my dog the other day, and gonzo suddenly froze and crawled right under my chin. I looked around to see what spooked him and thought it was just another crow. our new neighborhood has a crazy amount(for a city) of crows, raccoons, skunks, and now even coyotes. I looked up and saw that it was a hawk being chased by the crows. I think he had just moved in last week, since the crows are usually able to keep all the bigger birds out. I love hawks, but it can honestly get a little scary especially since we also have a chihuahua. I have to be extremely alert now even when walking during the day. I’ve noticed a lot more hawks and other animals lately, is it time fore them to start nesting already?!

 

[SandraK]

i was walking gonzo with my mom and my dog the other day, and gonzo suddenly froze and crawled right under my chin. I looked around to see what spooked him and thought it was just another crow. our new neighborhood has a crazy amount(for a city) of crows, raccoons, skunks, and now even coyotes. I looked up and saw that it was a hawk being chased by the crows. I think he had just moved in last week, since the crows are usually able to keep all the bigger birds out. I love hawks, but it can honestly get a little scary especially since we also have a chihuahua. I have to be extremely alert now even when walking during the day. I’ve noticed a lot more hawks and other animals lately, is it time fore them to start nesting already?!

No, winter is fast approaching so most wild birds are stocking up on "fat" to keep them going. I have several feeders in my front and back gardens and everyone out there is acting as if they've never been fed. We have Coopers and red tails as well as some smaller ones that only show up at dawn or dusk. We also have the field mice, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels and chipmunks as well as fox and coyotes. My fids in the bird room are the ones that alert me to the hawks or coyote walking down the hedge line to stay out of sight. I have 2 heated bird baths that have to be refilled daily and I suspect it is the 4 legged critters who are drinking it dry.

 

[Animallover03]

I live in a small town in rural Iowa, and there are lots of hawks and owls nearby. Just yesterday I saw a red hawk catch a bird, then land on a tree in our yard. Cool, but also very scary as I bring Grumbles outside often in the summer.

 

[SandraK]

I live in a small town in rural Iowa, and there are lots of hawks and owls nearby. Just yesterday I saw a red hawk catch a bird, then land on a tree in our yard. Cool, but also very scary as I bring Grumbles outside often in the summer.

That's one of the reasons I'm worried about taking a fid out in a harness and leash. Can't fly away but also can't get away but that's just me.

 

[Domothebudgie]

That's one of the reasons I'm worried about taking a fid out in a harness and leash. Can't fly away but also can't get away but that's just me.

Thats true. I try my best to keep him on s short leash on my arm. I always say that I have a big head so the hawk won’t dare land on me but I try to take me dogs and not walk by myself as 2 pairs of eyes is better than 1. We never used to have so many animals I the city(San Francisco) but we moved to another neighborhood that has more trees and it seems that the city in general is having a coyote problem also.

 

[SandraK]

Thats true. I try my best to keep him on s short leash on my arm. I always say that I have a big head so the hawk won’t dare land on me but I try to take me dogs and not walk by myself as 2 pairs of eyes is better than 1. We never used to have so many animals I the city(San Francisco) but we moved to another neighborhood that has more trees and it seems that the city in general is having a coyote problem also.

We're seeing more coyotes not only in the suburbs of Chicago but some have been caught and relocated from the city itself. Last year I think it was, one actually got into a convenience store and animal control had to be called to catch it and relocate it. More buildings going up everywhere with plenty of rats in the city and plenty of rabbits, squirrels, opossum in the suburbs plus any injured birds. I've spotted coyotes checking out the fallout from my bird feeders since some are suet filled. The neighborhood just north of me, Buffalo Grove, has an FB page where people post coyote sightings. Someone else posted and asked why people kept posting these warnings. If you have a small dog or a cat outside, I'd want a heads up to bring them in.

 

[melissasparrots]

This should totally not be scary. I used to have a yorkie and I just stayed with the dog when he was out. We are late in the migration and many areas are experiencing an influx of raptors. Your little dog is fine. It would be highly uncommon for a wild hawk to attack a dog. Even less common if you are out with the dog. No matter what someone tells you, they are not capable of carrying away a dog unless your dog weighs less than 2lb and probably not even then. I'd be more worried about a coopers hawk going after your bird if he's more than a few inches away from you outside. If this is just a red tail, and you keep your bird harnessed and attached to your body, you are probably good to go. Seriously, wild red tails are at the bottom of my list of things to worry about with pets.

 

[finchly]

I heard they can carry up to 4 lb. At any rate I keep pets close to me.

I was walking Cricket Cocker recently and a bunny was frozen hoping C wouldn't notice her. Just as the dog ran at the bunny, bunny took off AND a hawk swooped in from the opposite direction. When it missed (because C had just startled bunny) it hit the ground beside us and went up to the wire. For a minute I thought it was going to fly at us! Then I realized it was just disappointed to miss dinner.

Hubby saw one carrying a fairly good sized bunny. I guess buns are lightweight. Still it's surprising to see them carrying bodies off!

 

[Aubrey]

This should totally not be scary. I used to have a yorkie and I just stayed with the dog when he was out. We are late in the migration and many areas are experiencing an influx of raptors. Your little dog is fine. It would be highly uncommon for a wild hawk to attack a dog. Even less common if you are out with the dog. No matter what someone tells you, they are not capable of carrying away a dog unless your dog weighs less than 2lb and probably not even then. I'd be more worried about a coopers hawk going after your bird if he's more than a few inches away from you outside. If this is just a red tail, and you keep your bird harnessed and attached to your body, you are probably good to go. Seriously, wild red tails are at the bottom of my list of things to worry about with pets.

Ok. This hawk (wingspan of 3-4 feet) has been stalking my dog Thats 12 pounds all month. I've seen it perched like this above our house and doing drive (fly) bys.

Do you think he's going to strike/ get/ kill my puppy @melissasparrots

 

[melissasparrots]

The bird probably only weighs about 2-3 lb. He can't carry away a 12lb dog. There is a very off chance it might try to make a grab for it. But that would be HIGHLY unlikely. If you are worried, just go out with your dog. As unusual as it would be for a hawk to grab a dog that size, it would be even more unusual for it to go for your dog while you are visible. If I had a 12 lb dog, I would worry more about it climbing the fence and escaping than being grabbed by a hawk. If I had a 5lb dog, I might be a little more concerned but still unlikely and still not possible to carry it away. I just always went out with my yorkie when he was alive. Most well fed hawks won't even think about a dog as prey. The ones you have to worry about are possibly the starving juveniles that are still figuring how to hunt and are desperate. But again, still can't carry away a 12lb dog and will back off quick with a human around.

 

[melissasparrots]

I heard they can carry up to 4 lb. At any rate I keep pets close to me.

I was walking Cricket Cocker recently and a bunny was frozen hoping C wouldn't notice her. Just as the dog ran at the bunny, bunny took off AND a hawk swooped in from the opposite direction. When it missed (because C had just startled bunny) it hit the ground beside us and went up to the wire. For a minute I thought it was going to fly at us! Then I realized it was just disappointed to miss dinner.

Hubby saw one carrying a fairly good sized bunny. I guess buns are lightweight. Still it's surprising to see them carrying bodies off!

Most of the eastern cottontails that my red tail has caught have weighed about 3.5-4.5 lb. My hawk absolutely cannot carry it away. Trust me, they have tried. A baby rabbit maybe, but not an adult. I have flown average sized both male and female red tails. I use my dog to flush the rabbits. What you might have thought was stalking your dog might have actually been the hawk hoping your dog would flush another rabbit. If you live in the west, desert cotton tails are a little smaller. A hawk still probably cannot carry them away, but off chance might be a little more capable of doing so if it caught a juvenile one.

 

[Domothebudgie]

The bird probably only weighs about 2-3 lb. He can't carry away a 12lb dog. There is a very off chance it might try to make a grab for it. But that would be HIGHLY unlikely. If you are worried, just go out with your dog. As unusual as it would be for a hawk to grab a dog that size, it would be even more unusual for it to go for your dog while you are visible. If I had a 12 lb dog, I would worry more about it climbing the fence and escaping than being grabbed by a hawk. If I had a 5lb dog, I might be a little more concerned but still unlikely and still not possible to carry it away. I just always went out with my yorkie when he was alive. Most well fed hawks won't even think about a dog as prey. The ones you have to worry about are possibly the starving juveniles that are still figuring how to hunt and are desperate. But again, still can't carry away a 12lb dog and will back off quick with a human around.

The hawks here are a bit more desperate for food in the city. I saw them swoop down during a chihuahua event at the dog park. They of course couldn’t actually take anyone away, but I would be worrried about the talons injuring them. The hawk in our neighborhood doesn’t seem to come over near my house anymore since the crows have chased him/her away. The crows are “in charge” of the area so I wonder if the hawk will be back.

 

[Aubrey]

The bird probably only weighs about 2-3 lb. He can't carry away a 12lb dog. There is a very off chance it might try to make a grab for it. But that would be HIGHLY unlikely. If you are worried, just go out with your dog. As unusual as it would be for a hawk to grab a dog that size, it would be even more unusual for it to go for your dog while you are visible. If I had a 12 lb dog, I would worry more about it climbing the fence and escaping than being grabbed by a hawk. If I had a 5lb dog, I might be a little more concerned but still unlikely and still not possible to carry it away. I just always went out with my yorkie when he was alive. Most well fed hawks won't even think about a dog as prey. The ones you have to worry about are possibly the starving juveniles that are still figuring how to hunt and are desperate. But again, still can't carry away a 12lb dog and will back off quick with a human around.

Thanks so much. This is reassuring to me. I think this hawk is watching Pippa. I've seen it flying low thrugh our yard. I always go out with her. She's just not on a leash.

 

[finchly]

Most of the eastern cottontails that my red tail has caught have weighed about 3.5-4.5 lb. My hawk absolutely cannot carry it away. Trust me, they have tried. A baby rabbit maybe, but not an adult. I have flown average sized both male and female red tails. I use my dog to flush the rabbits. What you might have thought was stalking your dog might have actually been the hawk hoping your dog would flush another rabbit. If you live in the west, desert cotton tails are a little smaller. A hawk still probably cannot carry them away, but off chance might be a little more capable of doing so if it caught a juvenile one.

Thanks for the info!

@Aubrey I take my maltese out off-leash but I stand right over her! We have coyotes too .

 

[Aubrey]

Thanks for the info!

@Aubrey I take my maltese out off-leash but I stand right over her! We have coyotes too .

Yes. I've been noisy too like talking loudly or singing (off key). Thinking maybe a raptor wouldn't like a loud human

 

[melissasparrots]

Yes. I've been noisy too like talking loudly or singing (off key). Thinking maybe a raptor wouldn't like a loud human

In my experience, hawks are a lot more responsive to visual stimuli. I can mow my lawn right past my hooded hawk and she won't budge. Without the hood, she'd be trashing her feathers trying to get away. Wave your hands if you like, but yelling probably won't do much. Again, I just don't see the hawk as being a problem. The only time I'd ever really worry about our wild raptors is if I kept small parrots in an outdoor aviary or if I had a pet bird escape. Coopers hawks can be a problem, but they aren't big enough to do much to a dog in even their wildest dreams. They are small bird specialists but large females can sometimes snatch ducks and pheasant but it would be a serious challenge for them to pin it and keep it down long enough to start eating. An actual eagle can be a different story, but again, that would only affect very small dogs. Probably 5lb or less. Hawks are way more common than eagles in most areas. When I had my yorkie, I stuck to him like glue if there were eagles around. I never worried about hawks much. He was far more likely to get himself into a bad situation just being a small dog with an attitude than to be attacked by a hawk. Owls will sometimes make a go for super small dogs. I was always fairly diligent with my little yorkie. Raptors would not have even registered in my mind as being a danger to the 12 lb sheltie I used to have.

 

[Domothebudgie]

Thanks for the info!

@Aubrey I take my maltese out off-leash but I stand right over her! We have coyotes too .

Yea we really need to be careful especially with coyotes around. There were a few off leash dogs that were taken by coyotes In my area in the past couple of months.