The term “chicken hawk” is not an official scientific designation but a common, colloquial name used across North America to describe several species of raptors. It is most frequently applied to the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), two birds with vastly different hunting styles and diets. Their actual eating habits showcase a broader and more complex ecological role than just chicken predation. Understanding the diet of these hawks reveals their flexibility as predators and their importance in controlling various wildlife populations.
The Primary Diet: Small Mammals and Rodents
The Red-tailed Hawk centers its diet almost entirely on small mammals. Studies indicate that rodents and lagomorphs typically comprise between 80% and 90% of the Red-tail’s total food intake. These hawks are powerful Buteos, built for soaring over open country and capturing terrestrial prey with a quick, steep dive.
The primary targets include abundant species like voles, pocket gophers, and various types of mice, which offer a high caloric return for the effort expended in hunting. Ground squirrels and prairie dogs are also frequently taken, especially where they are numerous and accessible. Larger mammals, such as young rabbits or hares, are regularly preyed upon, demonstrating the hawk’s strength and predatory reach.
By focusing heavily on these small herbivores, the Red-tailed Hawk plays a significant role in local ecosystems. Their consistent predation helps to regulate the populations of rodents that can damage crops or spread disease. The hawk’s preference for hunting from a high perch, like a utility pole or tall tree, allows it to survey large expanses of grassland and agricultural fields for prey movements.
Addressing the Name: Predation on Birds and Poultry
The common name “chicken hawk” stems from occasional predation on domestic fowl, a behavior far more characteristic of the Cooper’s Hawk. The Cooper’s Hawk is an Accipiter, built with shorter, rounded wings and a long tail that allows it to maneuver with agility through dense forest cover. This body shape is perfectly suited for pursuing and capturing other birds in flight.
For the Cooper’s Hawk, avian prey makes up the bulk of the diet, including medium-sized species such as Mourning Doves, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons. These hawks are often observed hunting near backyard bird feeders where songbirds congregate in tempting numbers. While they will take chickens, especially smaller bantam breeds, the vast majority of their bird prey are wild species.
The Northern Goshawk, another large Accipiter, is an even more formidable hunter of birds. Goshawks regularly prey on larger game birds like grouse, as well as crows and jays. The frequency of attacks on standard-sized farm chickens remains low compared to historical accounts, reflecting the opportunistic nature of these raptors when a vulnerable, concentrated food source is available.
Other Significant Prey Items
Beyond the core diet of mammals and birds, the diet of these hawks is remarkably flexible and varies significantly with location and season. Reptiles become a much more important food source in warmer, southern latitudes, particularly for the Red-tailed Hawk.
Here, they actively hunt and consume snakes, including some venomous varieties, and various species of lizards. These hawks possess specialized hunting techniques to safely subdue such prey, often targeting the head with their talons. Amphibians, such as frogs and toads, are also taken when conditions are wet and these creatures are active and exposed.
Large insects represent another opportunistic food source, especially during summer months or following certain agricultural events. Grasshoppers, crickets, and large beetles can be consumed, providing a quick, if less substantial, energy boost. While “chicken hawk” species have preferred prey categories, their survival often relies on the ability to switch to alternative, easily acquired food when primary sources are scarce.