Red tailed Hawks

Red tailed hawks Earl Plato

On my way to Welland some time ago I saw a usual sight. So often on that stretch of South Kaobel Road you will find a red-tail hawk perched on a telephone post. Not this day. What I saw were two beautiful red-tails soaring around the fields near the chicken farm. I slowed down and stopped to admire the flight of the two birds. Mating rites? Could be. They swooped then glided upward over and over. One of the birds was larger than the other. Do you know your hawks? Female hawks are 20% or more larger than their mates. That’s right guys, the female are the “Big Berthas.” Note: The males, as expert hunters, fly faster than their mates. Their job is to bring home the food.
I wound my window down. I wanted to hear the high-pitched scream -”KIRR - Kirr - kirr” - it is a descending cry and unmistakable with its hoarse quality. No sounds from the two would-be lovers.
Red-tails are in the Buteo family and our most common local hawks.
They are also our largest hawk, bulky in shape, with a whitish breast and a rust-coloured tail. Buteos soar over open country in search of its prey - mice and voles. It possesses great sight and can pick up the slightest movement. Resting on a telephone or hydro pole is a great location for sighting some prey.
Note: I use to argue that these Red-tail hawks are not chicken hunters. Audubon Guide says,” The Red-tail rarely takes poultry.”
People have reported to me that the Red-tail does take poultry in Fort Erie. They’re right, I have to admit. Look for these big hawks this month. Just remember to pull over to the side of the road if you really want a good look. Drive carefully.
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Another anomaly. Lisa Rind of the Review asked me the question: “Have you ever seen crows and blue jays feeding together?” She added that she thought that it was very odd. That’s the anomaly, the aberration, or the exception to what we normally expect. “... but they seem to tolerate one another at the feeders on my deck.”
All kinds of birds at the family farm over the years but no jays and crows feeding together at our big feeders. I told Lisa I would do research in two of my better research books. Couldn’t find any thing.
I E-mailed Lisa again and I asked what do you mean by “tolerate.” Her reply was, “Tolerate: They don’t get close to one another but they make a bit of noise as if they are warning each other to stay away.
...you’ll see the crows walking around on the ground, as if they own the place, and the jays come and go, perching on the feeders and the rail. It’s a bit odd, since when the crows are in possession, almost no other birds visit the feeders. I put out all kinds of seed scattered too, and peanuts for the squirrels. Lots of birds like peanuts, too. It’s fun to watch them all. ...”