Hawks

Hawks

   The word hawk is a common traditional name for a number of different widespread birds of prey that are smaller than eagles and hunt for smaller prey. Goshawks, sparrow hawks, osprey, and red-tailed hawks are some examples. Hawks hunt by day using their exceptional eyesight. Hawks have eyes that are that are many times more powerful than a human. They are mostly woodland birds that evolved shorter wide wings and a longer tail than eagles so they can fly to through the forests and around trees where they live.

  Hawks use a number of hunting methods using speed and ambush. The most common is to search for prey by eyesight from a hidden perch then swoop down to hoping to catch it by surprise. It doesn’t always work. Many times the intended prey will somehow escape. Some of the larger hawks will also look for prey while flying over head and swiftly attack it with their talons. They are capable of significant speed in pursuit of their prey. Hawks will eat any small prey they can catch and the prey species for hawks are diverse. Woodpeckers, waterfowl, pigeons, pheasants, gulls, squirrels, rabbits, rats, chipmunks, mice even other raptors are all part of the menu. But rodents and small birds are the biggest part of the diet.