Comments on: The hawk and the dove http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/ musings, thoughts, and writings of Barbara W. Klaser Sun, 18 May 2008 12:33:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.3-beta1 Comment on The hawk and the dove by: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13401 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:40:23 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13401 Eric --- This was unusual. Maybe these hawks were driven out of other feeding grounds by the fires last fall. They seem to be coming in awfully close to houses and people right now. My only other close encounter with a hunting hawk was about 25 years ago, driving to work in Coronado one morning. I turned a corner, and a hawk had just caught a pigeon mid-air, right in front of my mini-van. The hawk saw my car coming, and dropped the pigeon. Otherwise I might've collided with both. I doubt the pigeon survived. Today I saw a dove on the telephone pole across the street. As I watched, two crows and another dove flew at it, startling it into flying away. Then they all dispersed. I didn't understand this until I noticed two hawks circling nearby. I think the crows and dove were warning the dove who was sitting exposed. It doesn't surprise me that the other dove would do that, especially if they were mates, but the crows? I didn't realize they would cooperate that way. But it's possible that as long as hawks are finding food in one area, they'll just keep hanging around. After that, every bird in the area vanished and was silent for a while. I've read that Red-Shouldered Hawks will team up with crows to drive Red-Tail Hawks out of nesting areas. Then there's this example of interspecies cooperation --- a dolphin rescuing beached whales in New Zealand: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7291501.stm Reenie --- I don't recommend anyone around here keep pet cats or small dogs outside unattended. Coyotes are the main problem, but I suppose there are other predators that are a danger to them. Our cat Emily had lived out on her own here, and during the summer if we had the windows open and she heard coyotes, she got very nervous. She didn't even bother trying to get outside very often, and the few times she did she just hung out on the back deck. Susan --- That's what I decided, the hawks have to eat too. But I'm rooting for those doves. :) Eric — This was unusual. Maybe these hawks were driven out of other feeding grounds by the fires last fall. They seem to be coming in awfully close to houses and people right now.

My only other close encounter with a hunting hawk was about 25 years ago, driving to work in Coronado one morning. I turned a corner, and a hawk had just caught a pigeon mid-air, right in front of my mini-van. The hawk saw my car coming, and dropped the pigeon. Otherwise I might’ve collided with both. I doubt the pigeon survived.

Today I saw a dove on the telephone pole across the street. As I watched, two crows and another dove flew at it, startling it into flying away. Then they all dispersed. I didn’t understand this until I noticed two hawks circling nearby. I think the crows and dove were warning the dove who was sitting exposed. It doesn’t surprise me that the other dove would do that, especially if they were mates, but the crows? I didn’t realize they would cooperate that way. But it’s possible that as long as hawks are finding food in one area, they’ll just keep hanging around. After that, every bird in the area vanished and was silent for a while.

I’ve read that Red-Shouldered Hawks will team up with crows to drive Red-Tail Hawks out of nesting areas. Then there’s this example of interspecies cooperation — a dolphin rescuing beached whales in New Zealand:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7291501.stm

Reenie — I don’t recommend anyone around here keep pet cats or small dogs outside unattended. Coyotes are the main problem, but I suppose there are other predators that are a danger to them. Our cat Emily had lived out on her own here, and during the summer if we had the windows open and she heard coyotes, she got very nervous. She didn’t even bother trying to get outside very often, and the few times she did she just hung out on the back deck.

Susan — That’s what I decided, the hawks have to eat too. But I’m rooting for those doves. :)

]]> Comment on The hawk and the dove by: susan http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13392 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:05:30 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13392 It's terrible and beautiful, this life and death struggle that goes on all around us each day. I've found a fish laying under a bush, likely dropped by a hawk or the eagle; a hawk get a tohee; and chased two young hawks away from a new turkey mom and her giblets (sorry, couldn't resist)and then felt badly because the hawks were hungry and I interfered with their first attempt at getting their natural prey. It’s terrible and beautiful, this life and death struggle that goes on all around us each day. I’ve found a fish laying under a bush, likely dropped by a hawk or the eagle; a hawk get a tohee; and chased two young hawks away from a new turkey mom and her giblets (sorry, couldn’t resist)and then felt badly because the hawks were hungry and I interfered with their first attempt at getting their natural prey.

]]> Comment on The hawk and the dove by: Reenie http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13390 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:09:25 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13390 When I lived a short distance from you, I spotted similar scenarios. Owls (several varieties) stirred up the action as well. But I think the veryveryvery worst thing we discovered was a partial kitty-cat carcass in our backyard. We always supposed that a bird of prey had dropped it. I never saw the headless creature – too sickening for me. When I lived a short distance from you, I spotted similar scenarios. Owls (several varieties) stirred up the action as well. But I think the veryveryvery worst thing we discovered was a partial kitty-cat carcass in our backyard. We always supposed that a bird of prey had dropped it. I never saw the headless creature – too sickening for me.

]]> Comment on The hawk and the dove by: Eric Mayer http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13389 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:10:22 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2008/03/17/the-hawk-and-the-dove/#comment-13389 Wow. I've seen plenty of hawks perched or circling but never seen one actually go after anything. My only first hand look at predators in action has been cats which have caught prey. I guess I wouldn't want to be a dove. It's bad enough worrying about insurance companies and such.... Wow. I’ve seen plenty of hawks perched or circling but never seen one actually go after anything. My only first hand look at predators in action has been cats which have caught prey. I guess I wouldn’t want to be a dove. It’s bad enough worrying about insurance companies and such….

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