Expert: Julia Booth - 1/28/2009

Question
Hi Julia - I have discovered a red-tailed hawk clinging to the under roof vent holes of my home every night; you know...under the eaves. It seems to spend the entire night there. Is this unusual? Doesn't a hawk usually require a nest to sleep in? I welcome his presence, as there is a roof rat problem in the neighborhood, but wondered if he might be injured and in need of help? He is gone during daylight.
Thanks for any info!

Answer
Ah no. The concept of the "nest" as you are familiar with it is basically isolated to the breeding season. It's a place to lay eggs and fledge young. In the interim, they sleep like the one you've found. Not unusual at all. The problem is that with the ever growing emergence of industry and technology, birds are having to adapt and find new places to live. Birds are the most adaptable animals on the planet, more so than mammals, reptiles or fish.

A security camera discovered that Western Bluebirds learned to set off the motion sensor, opening the doors of a Home Depot, so they could get in and out. And they made their home in the lumber department.

Congratulations,


Julia