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Birding/juvenile broadwinged hawk

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Expert: - 1/27/2008


Question

hawk
I discovered a juvenile broadwinged hawk beside my house this morning, next to a long shrub row.  I've seen hawks around before, but they're hunting behind my fence next the creek bed and don't stay around long.  This one is just setting on the ground, until I got to close and it flew a short ways away and perched on a fence.  I've been checking on him all day taking several pictures and he stays on the ground or in a branch of a tree.  Is this normal or is there something wrong with him?

Answer
You don't tell me where you live but I think the bird might be a Red-shouldered Hawk. He's fluffed up, meaning he is cold. Could be something wrong with him, but I can't tell. Sometimes young hawks are very approachable, but I suspect he is at least six months old if it is a juvenile. If he gets worse, contact your local wildlife rehab center for advice and help.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks Roger, I thought he might be a red shouldered hawk, but wasn't sure. He finally left and appears to be fine. I'd never seen one on the ground and let me get that close before? I live in central OK next to a creek and have seen several hawks around over the years....thanks again!


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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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