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Hawks and Owls

Hawks at Feeders

Q. We have a hawk that comes to our yard on a regular basis, and yesterday he got a Mourning Dove. How can I get rid of him and keep the songbirds and doves?

A. Like the other birds, the hawk is coming to your yard because there is a source of food. If you want to discourage the hawk, you'll have to take your feeders down for a few days to disperse the hawk’s food source--smaller birds. In the wild, birds face constantly fluctuating food supplies, so songbirds, doves, and hawks alike will survive by finding food elsewhere. Try putting your feeders up again in a week or two. The songbirds and doves will come back but, with luck, the hawk will have found better hunting grounds somewhere else. You can learn more about feeder problems and solutions at our Project FeederWatch web site.


Hawks and Pets

Q: I have a small, five pound dog that likes to run around our backyard. Should I be worried that a hawk could pick him up and take him away?

A: Whether or not your dog is in danger depends on the dog's breed and size - some breeds are as small as large rabbits, and hawks definitely go for those. 
     If the dog is very small - under 20 pounds - it is possible for large raptors to attack it. Such an attack is much less likely if there are two or three dogs than just one.  A kennel with a wire roof can also protect small dogs.  It is prudent to protect small dogs like this, anyway, since hawks aren't the only danger they face. Others include bigger dogs; some outdoor cats; foxes, coyotes, and bears; venomous snakes; and in some cases other people.