This observation is part of a weekly monitoring of an active Red-shouldered Hawk nest. Last week’s observation can be seen here: Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update 4

A lot can change in a week! Today’s observation began with one of the three juveniles sitting high on the rim of the nest. Most of the eyas’s body was visible, and the rapid growth of his flight feathers readily apparent. The young hawk was leaving the downy white of youth behind, and rapidly taking on the chestnut coloration of a mature Red-shouldered Hawk.

Neither parent was present at the nest when I arrived, but the male showed up presently with a prey item of some kind in his beak. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but it might have been a mouse or a frog. Whatever it was, the male handed it off to the eyases—who appear to be able to feed themselves now—and then quickly left.

A few minutes later the male returned, but he only stayed briefly, and did not appear to have food for the chicks this time around.

There was a light rain falling throughout the entirety of this observation.

This report is continued here: Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update 6

CountyDallas
CityDallas
DateMay 11, 2012
Time of DayAfternoon
TemperatureCool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
WeatherRain
HabitatRecreation-Park
Type of BehaviorCare of Young
GenderMixed
MaturityMixed
ObserverChris Jackson

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