Hawks are increasingly observed in suburban and urban environments, prompting questions about their presence in residential yards. Understanding why these raptors visit human-populated areas provides insight into their adaptability and the ecological dynamics at play.
Primary Reasons Hawks Visit Yards
Hawks primarily visit yards for readily available food sources. Residential yards frequently attract small prey like mice, voles, squirrels, and various bird species, which constitute a hawk’s natural diet. Bird feeders, while intended for songbirds, can inadvertently create a concentrated food source that attracts smaller birds and rodents, drawing predatory hawks. Hawks are opportunistic hunters, and the abundance of prey in backyards makes them attractive hunting grounds.
Yards also provide perching and resting spots. Tall trees, utility poles, rooftops, and fences offer excellent vantage points from which hawks can scan for prey or rest. These elevated positions allow them to survey their surroundings before swooping down on unsuspecting prey. Water sources, such as bird baths, can also attract hawks for drinking or bathing.
Occasionally, larger yards might offer suitable shelter or nesting locations. Cooper’s Hawks, for instance, have shown an increasing tendency to nest in urban and suburban areas, likely due to consistent food availability. Red-tailed Hawks can build large stick nests in tall trees or on various man-made structures within residential zones. Their presence signifies a healthy local ecosystem capable of supporting these apex predators.
Common Backyard Hawk Species
Several hawk species are frequently observed in backyard settings. Cooper’s Hawks are common backyard visitors, measuring 14.6 to 17.7 inches in length. Adults display a steely blue-gray back, warm reddish bars on their underparts, a large head, and a long, rounded tail. These agile hunters specialize in pursuing smaller birds, often maneuvering swiftly through dense foliage to catch prey at bird feeders.
Sharp-shinned Hawks, though similar in appearance to Cooper’s Hawks, are considerably smaller, about 11 inches long, roughly the size of a blue jay. They can be distinguished by their smaller, more rounded heads, pencil-thin legs, and a squared-off tail, unlike the Cooper’s rounded tail. Like Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily hunt small birds and are also frequent visitors to areas with bird feeders.
Red-tailed Hawks are another widely recognized species in residential areas, identifiable by their larger size, around 19 inches, and the distinctive reddish-brown tail of adults. These hawks typically hunt larger prey, including rabbits, mice, voles, and squirrels. Red-tailed Hawks often perch conspicuously on tall structures or trees, surveying open areas, and are less likely to target birds directly at feeders, preferring to hunt rodents attracted to spilled seeds.
Coexisting with Backyard Hawks
Coexistence with backyard hawks involves recognizing their role as wild animals and natural ecosystem components. These raptors contribute to pest control by preying on rodents and other small animals. Hawks, their nests, and eggs are protected by federal and state laws, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Protecting small pets from hawks involves several practical measures. Supervise small dogs and cats outdoors. Keeping pets on a leash and providing covered outdoor areas, such as enclosed runs or “catios,” offers physical protection. Specialized anti-hawk protective vests are available for very small dogs, designed to deter attacks. Hawks generally cannot carry prey significantly heavier than their own body weight; larger species like Red-tailed Hawks typically weigh only 2 to 2.5 pounds.
To humanely discourage hawk visits, temporarily remove bird feeders to reduce prey concentration. Position feeders under protective cover, such as awnings or dense tree branches, to make birds harder to spot. Trimming tall trees or installing anti-perching devices on favored spots can make a yard less attractive. Visual deterrents like reflective Mylar tape, old CDs, or owl decoys (moved regularly) can startle and deter them. Planting dense shrubs provides essential cover for smaller birds to escape quickly.