Always use caution!

[Sassy]

Today is a beautiful spring day. I decided to take the squeak squad in their carriers outside. I also took Neytiri (CAG) who just turned two yesterday out on her harness for the fresh air.

Neytiri was flying in a circle nicely and landed in the grass. I went to pick her up and as I bent down a hawk flew over my head and landed in the tree behind me about 20 feet away. I scooped Neytiri up and held her close. Ran to the open garage and yelled to hubby to get the squeaks. I was so scared.

I was looking to the sky for hawks as we have many here. Please be ever vigilant when your bird is in the open.

 

[mtdoramike]

I agree, I have one that has decided he likes my yard and perches in the trees near by. My wife went to the mail box at the end of our drive yesterday and a fish fell out of the sky and landed right beside her. It was at that same moment she saw the hawk fly over to the nearest tree and perch, watching her. The fish was about 12 inches long and it was a Nile perch.

 

[TessieB]

Gotta watch those bird of prey. I have two nesting pair on each side of my property. While they do an excellent job on vermin, I see how they watch my chickens in the coop!

 

[Taw5106]

Squeak Squad, LOVE IT lol.

 

[BirdyMomma]

We have plenty where we are as well. Last fall we drove up to our house to see a small hawk, with a pigeon in it's grasp. My boyfriend threw the car in park, got out, and scared the hawk off the pigeon (who he removed to a safe location) but that hawk was not too afraid. He stayed on the fence watching my boyfriend collect the pigeon, and didn't budge.

 

[BACON]

Can't imagine what it's like to have to worry like that.
Yes we have kestrels and sparrow hawks but that's all I'd have to worry about. Well only the sparrow hawks really but we rarely see them. Buzzards wouldnt go for them really and nither would the red kites we have here.

When in Australia I couldn't believe the amount of birds of prey I saw on a daily basis, ranging from sea eagles to kites to falcons. It was amazing.

In one sense very lucky..... But I can see why it's such a problem!!!

Pleased squeak squad all got in safe

 

[Jayyj]

A note of caution when it comes to buzzards: they're a lot braver than people give them credit for, and they love a chicken dinner.... below clip does not end well for the ospreys, in case anyone would prefer to not see it:

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=buzzard takes osprey chick&sm=3

I've heard of them taking kestrels as prey if hungry enough as well.

 

[Betrisher]

I totally agree with you, Delfin. I'm lucky enough to live very close to one of the largest wetlands in the state. As a result, I get to see all sorts of eagles, harriers and falcons nearly every day. We have a Little Falcon pair that lives under the eaves of our local hospital and I can set my clock by them. They hunt over my house at exactly 5.10pm! A few weeks ago, a Swamp Harrier perched in my casuarina tree and a whole mob of Noisy Miners, Wattlebirds and PeeWees came to chase him off. He was a beauty and I got a really up-close look at him before he left.

Sea Eagles are my favourites, though. They're so graceful and precise in the way they take their prey and fly off with it. I could watch them all day long!

 

[hacatta]

am i glad we only have to worry about cats here,i don't think we even have hawks in the wild here.

 

[getwozzy]

Yep, the number one reason I haven't really tried to take chili outside is the red tails that perch in a tree in our back yard- and they soar over our horse pasture and their nest is on the other side of the property. At the right angle, you can see them from looking out the window.

We also get turkey vultures, osprey, bald eagles, great horned owls, crows, blue jays....lots of scary stuff out there!!

 

[SoCalWendy]

Today is a beautiful spring day. I decided to take the squeak squad in their carriers outside. I also took Neytiri (CAG) who just turned two yesterday out on her harness for the fresh air.

Neytiri was flying in a circle nicely and landed in the grass. I went to pick her up and as I bent down a hawk flew over my head and landed in the tree behind me about 20 feet away. I scooped Neytiri up and held her close. Ran to the open garage and yelled to hubby to get the squeaks. I was so scared.

I was looking to the sky for hawks as we have many here. Please be ever vigilant when your bird is in the open.

We have several red tail hawk nests near by. They circle over head calling and looking for food. I don't take my birds out when they are out

 

[RavensGryf]

am i glad we only have to worry about cats here,i don't think we even have hawks in the wild here.

I thought there were birds of prey everywhere in the world? I googled it and Wikipedia had a whole list of raptors in the Netherlands too
Maybe you're lucky if they're not where you live.

 

[hacatta]

am i glad we only have to worry about cats here,i don't think we even have hawks in the wild here.

I thought there were birds of prey everywhere in the world? I googled it and Wikipedia had a whole list of raptors in the Netherlands too
Maybe you're lucky if they're not where you live.

I suppose so ,but i do live in a small city.
Which is only a city on paper.
But we do have a lot of cats here,like 20 only in this street..