Red Shouldered Hawks at the Maryland Institute College of ArtlanakilaFebruary 13 2006, 03:12:59 UTC
Good evening, Kelsey. I was so happy to read your LJ comment and to browse through your Journal. I caught sight of your photo of the red-shouldered hawks nesting at your college. What a wonderful and rare opportunity to see these gorgeous birds, right in the convenience of your own dorm! *smiles*
You've asked so many wonderful questions. I look forward to responding to them!
It is unusual for birds of prey to be nesting in cities and in high density areas, but not unheard of. The peregrine falcons are perhaps the most famous species of raptors to nest in large metropolis areas. Peregrines have been nesting in the Toronto region for almost a decade. The large towers mimic the tall cliffs that peregrine falcons are used to living on. Cities are abundant with pigeons, so the peregrine falcons have enough food to eat.
A pair of red-tailed hawks have been known to live in New York City. They made their nest on the side of an apartment building, located in the Central Park region. As long as the food supply is there, the birds could remain. There are many dangers living in a large urban centre like New York... but they seem to be thriving there despite the hazards.
Your story is the first one I've heard about red-shouldered hawks living so close to human activity. Red-shouldereds are known to be very shy birds (at least the ones we used to keep at the Mountsberg Wildlife Centre). I think if the food supply is good near the college, the hawks will stay (so long as no one purposely disturbs the nest). If the hawks are building a nest, it sounds like they are comfortable in choosing that spot on the college to raise their young.
Would you happen to have a spotting scope to take a good look at the hawks? I'm often "digi-scoping" birds (digiscoping is the process of taking digital camera pictures through a spotting scope). It would be awesome to see some close-ups of the red-shouldered hawks. I absolutely adore the birds and love hearing their boisterous cry!
*smiles warmly* Thank you for stopping by, Kelsey. If you're interested in more nature stories and the like, feel free to add me to your LJ friends' list. I usually write about my raptor handling experience once a week.
Take care, and I hope you have yourself a great evening!
You've asked so many wonderful questions. I look forward to responding to them!
It is unusual for birds of prey to be nesting in cities and in high density areas, but not unheard of. The peregrine falcons are perhaps the most famous species of raptors to nest in large metropolis areas. Peregrines have been nesting in the Toronto region for almost a decade. The large towers mimic the tall cliffs that peregrine falcons are used to living on. Cities are abundant with pigeons, so the peregrine falcons have enough food to eat.
A pair of red-tailed hawks have been known to live in New York City. They made their nest on the side of an apartment building, located in the Central Park region. As long as the food supply is there, the birds could remain. There are many dangers living in a large urban centre like New York... but they seem to be thriving there despite the hazards.
Your story is the first one I've heard about red-shouldered hawks living so close to human activity. Red-shouldereds are known to be very shy birds (at least the ones we used to keep at the Mountsberg Wildlife Centre). I think if the food supply is good near the college, the hawks will stay (so long as no one purposely disturbs the nest). If the hawks are building a nest, it sounds like they are comfortable in choosing that spot on the college to raise their young.
Would you happen to have a spotting scope to take a good look at the hawks? I'm often "digi-scoping" birds (digiscoping is the process of taking digital camera pictures through a spotting scope). It would be awesome to see some close-ups of the red-shouldered hawks. I absolutely adore the birds and love hearing their boisterous cry!
*smiles warmly* Thank you for stopping by, Kelsey. If you're interested in more nature stories and the like, feel free to add me to your LJ friends' list. I usually write about my raptor handling experience once a week.
Take care, and I hope you have yourself a great evening!
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