Bird feeders attract songbirds, but they can also inadvertently attract raptors, such as the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. These specialized predators are skilled at hunting smaller birds, which can be alarming to backyard bird enthusiasts. The goal is to implement deterrence methods that give songbirds a better chance of escape without causing harm to the naturally hunting raptors.
Understanding Why Hawks Hunt Near Feeders
A bird feeder fundamentally alters the local ecology by creating an artificially high concentration of prey birds. This increased “prey density” is the primary factor drawing hawks to residential areas. For accipiters, which are hawks that hunt other birds, a feeder represents an efficient and reliable hunting ground requiring minimal effort.
Studies have shown a correlation between the increasing number of backyard feeders and the colonization of urban and suburban areas by these raptors. Hawks quickly learn that the feeding station is a predictable source of small birds, such as finches and sparrows. This pattern is noticeable during the winter months when natural food sources for both songbirds and hawks are less abundant. Successful deterrence hinges on making the feeder a less efficient and more difficult hunting spot.
Adjusting Feeder Placement and Design
Strategic placement of the feeding station can significantly disrupt a hawk’s ambush hunting technique. Hawks, particularly the Sharp-shinned Hawk, need open space to build up speed for a surprise attack. Counter this by placing the feeder either very close to a structure or very far away from any cover the hawk might use for perching.
Placing the feeder within 10 feet of a house, deck, or dense vegetation limits the hawk’s ability to dive and maneuver at high speed. Conversely, moving the feeder more than 30 feet out into an open yard denies the hawk an effective perch or launching point for a sudden strike. The design of the feeder can also be modified using specialized caged feeders. These barrier-style feeders use a wire mesh cage around the seed ports, allowing smaller birds to feed safely while physically excluding the larger raptor.
Providing Immediate Escape Routes and Cover
The most effective method for protecting songbirds is providing instant access to dense cover near the feeder. Songbirds often panic and freeze when a hawk appears, so the escape route must be immediate and obvious. Dense evergreen shrubs, brush piles, or thickets should be situated within 8 to 10 feet of the feeding station.
This close proximity allows a small bird to reach safety in a single, short burst of flight, which is too quick for the hawk to follow. The cover should be vertical and horizontal, such as a layered shrub border, to offer multiple dimensions of refuge. If the feeder is near a house window, address the risk of window collisions. When startled, birds may fly directly into reflective glass, so applying decals, tape, or exterior netting prevents fatal impacts during a frantic escape.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
All native raptors, including Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks, are protected under federal law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it unlawful to “pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” any protected bird without a permit. Therefore, any method of deterrence must be non-harmful and non-lethal.
Harassing the hawk or attempting to physically capture or injure it is illegal and subject to prosecution. Homeowners must avoid using poisons, traps, or any device that could physically harm the bird. If a hawk establishes a consistent presence and songbirds stop visiting, the safest action is to temporarily remove all feeders for one to two weeks. This removes the concentrated food source, encouraging the hawk to move to a different hunting territory, and the songbirds will return once the feeder is back.