Uuglypher wrote:
Hi, Julian,
This is a red-tailed hawk in juvenile plumage, hatched in the late Spring of 2016 and due to molt into mature plumage this summer.
There is an expected 70% mortality during the first year of life (3 in ten will survive their first year).
Although his presence may scare off the small seed-eaters attracted to the feeder, the red-tail feeds mostly on small rodents. It is a terribly INEFFICIENT predator on the small, seed-eating bird species. They are just too agile to be caught by the larger, slower moving red-tail.
Dave
Hi, Julian, br br This is a red-tailed hawk in ju... (
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Thank you so much for your analysis but I thought it was a 'red shouldered hawk' instead. I stand corrected.