Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are avian predators defined by their sharp talons, hooked beaks, and exceptional vision. This group includes hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls, which all share a predatory lifestyle. People often want to attract these birds to their property for a variety of reasons, including natural pest management and the opportunity for observation. Raptors can serve as an effective biological control for rodent and large insect populations, contributing to a healthier local ecosystem. Successfully encouraging these powerful hunters to visit or reside on your land requires intentional modifications to the environment, focusing on their specific needs for hunting, perching, and nesting.
Creating the Ideal Hunting Habitat
Creating a landscape that supports raptor hunting begins with providing clear lines of sight to potential prey. Many diurnal raptors, such as Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels, are visual hunters that scan open areas from an elevated position. Keeping grass in hunting zones mowed or grazed helps expose the small mammals and insects that make up the raptors’ diet, making hunting less energy-intensive for the birds. A property with a mosaic of open fields and scattered trees is often more appealing than a dense forest or a manicured lawn.
Providing natural structures for resting and cover is an equally important element of habitat design. Standing dead trees, known as snags, offer a natural and highly attractive perching location for both hunting and roosting. If a dead tree poses a safety risk, leaving large, sturdy branches on the ground or in a brush pile can still offer cover for the prey base, which indirectly attracts the predators. Raptors also appreciate access to water, which is primarily used for bathing and cooling rather than drinking, as they get most of their hydration from their prey.
Installing Perching and Nesting Structures
Raptors require secure, elevated vantage points to scout for prey and rest, which can be supplemented with human-made structures. T-perches are a simple, effective addition to open areas, consisting of a vertical post with a horizontal crossbar at the top. These perches should be installed between 10 and 30 feet high, with a horizontal crossbar that is about 1 to 3 feet long to accommodate different species. Placing these artificial perches near areas of pest activity, like fields or orchards, maximizes the chance of raptor use and hunting success.
Nest Boxes for Cavity Nesters
For species that nest in cavities, such as Barn Owls and American Kestrels, installing species-specific nest boxes can encourage breeding pairs to reside on the property. Barn Owl boxes should have interior dimensions that provide at least six square feet of floor space, with the entrance hole positioned no less than 16 inches from the floor to prevent premature fledging of owlets. These boxes are best mounted on a pole or structure at a height of 15 to 30 feet, facing away from the intense heat of the afternoon sun, ideally north or east. American Kestrel boxes are much smaller, typically 8 to 10 inches square, and should be placed 10 to 20 feet high, often facing east or south.
Ensuring a Safe and Abundant Prey Base
The presence of a viable and healthy prey population is the most significant factor in attracting and retaining birds of prey. The goal is to create a habitat that supports a steady, renewable supply of small mammals like voles and mice, which form the bulk of the diet for many common raptors. Attracting these prey species often involves maintaining areas of tall native grasses or light brush that provides cover and food sources for them. Since raptors are natural pest control agents, encouraging their presence means accepting a certain level of prey activity on the property.
Avoiding Secondary Poisoning
It is important to eliminate the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, commonly called rat poison, on the property and in the surrounding area. These toxins work by interfering with the blood-clotting system of the target animal, causing a slow death. When a raptor consumes a poisoned but still mobile or recently deceased rodent, it is exposed to the poison in a process called secondary poisoning. Studies have shown that a high percentage of tested raptors, including Red-tailed Hawks and owls, have detectable levels of these anticoagulants in their systems, which can lead to spontaneous internal bleeding and death.
Understanding Legal Protections and Coexistence
Nearly all native birds of prey in the United States are protected by federal law, primarily through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. This legislation makes it illegal to pursue, hunt, capture, kill, or possess any part of these protected birds, including their feathers, eggs, or nests, without a permit. The protection extends to active nests and their contents, meaning that once a raptor begins nesting, the site cannot be disturbed. Understanding this legal framework ensures that all habitat enhancement efforts comply with conservation laws.
Successful coexistence requires managing potential conflicts, particularly concerning domestic pets. Small pets, such as cats and miniature dog breeds, can be viewed as potential prey by larger raptors like Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks. Keeping small pets indoors or supervising them closely when outdoors is a necessary precaution to prevent unfortunate encounters. Furthermore, while bird feeders may attract small songbirds that raptors may hunt, placing feeders far from windows helps reduce the risk of bird collisions, which can injure or kill raptors pursuing prey.