a little territorial battle . . .
A few days ago a Red-Shouldered Hawk was in the neighbor’s yard perched on top of one of the birdhouses.
After I took a picture of him proudly sitting there, seemingly minding his own business, suddenly a mockingbird came into frame and knocked the hawk off balance! I got three quick shots ....
...and then a couple of the hawk kind of nonchalantly waving the mockingbird away.
Those mockingbirds .... they are fierce and fearless protectors of their territory. I’ve seen many little battles similar to this over the years, and the hawks are usually the ones on the receiving end of the forces driving them away, usually mockingbirds, but sometimes another bird will join in.
Then the hawk flew, but the commotion still continued as there was another hawk on the ground about 30 feet away and a mockingbird was also attacking it.
Afterwards when I was looking at my pictures, I noticed that the one on the ground had what I call feather “pantaloons” on its legs. I’m not sure if this means it is an older hawk or possibly male and female. I tried to research this, but found very little explanation. Does anyone know?
Mockingbirds have built nests in a few of our smaller trees and Pete and I have been under attack occasionally when we unknowingly walk too close to where they have a nest. Once was enough of that, as they have grazed our heads while squawking loudly, then we always skirt around that tree until we know they are done with it.
After I took a picture of him proudly sitting there, seemingly minding his own business, suddenly a mockingbird came into frame and knocked the hawk off balance! I got three quick shots ....
...and then a couple of the hawk kind of nonchalantly waving the mockingbird away.
Those mockingbirds .... they are fierce and fearless protectors of their territory. I’ve seen many little battles similar to this over the years, and the hawks are usually the ones on the receiving end of the forces driving them away, usually mockingbirds, but sometimes another bird will join in.
Then the hawk flew, but the commotion still continued as there was another hawk on the ground about 30 feet away and a mockingbird was also attacking it.
Afterwards when I was looking at my pictures, I noticed that the one on the ground had what I call feather “pantaloons” on its legs. I’m not sure if this means it is an older hawk or possibly male and female. I tried to research this, but found very little explanation. Does anyone know?
Mockingbirds have built nests in a few of our smaller trees and Pete and I have been under attack occasionally when we unknowingly walk too close to where they have a nest. Once was enough of that, as they have grazed our heads while squawking loudly, then we always skirt around that tree until we know they are done with it.