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 6
The three juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawks where unattended today when I arrived. These young hawks are very nearly ready to fledge. Their feathers have nearly completely come in.
It was very windy on this day, and the young hawks were taking advantage of the gusts to exercise their wings. Whenever the wind would really pickup an eyas or two would stand and vigorously flap their wings against the breeze. It was quite a sight!
Just before I left, the male returned with a food item of some kind. This initiated quite a feeding frenzy among the three eyases. It got so rough and tumble, in fact, that the adult male decided to move along.
He left the nest and flew directly to the tree I was standing under. Perched there, he allowed me several good photographs before he took to the air again.
Meanwhile, the feeding frenzy back in the nest continued unabated.
This observation is continued here: Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update, The Last
Observation Details
| County | – | Dallas |
|
| City | – | Dallas | |
| Date | – | May 25, 2012 | |
| Time of Day | – | Noon | |
| Temperature | – | Hot (greater than 89°F/32°C) | |
| Weather | – | Windy | |
| Habitat | – | Recreation-Park | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Care of Young | |
| Gender | – | Mixed | |
| Maturity | – | Mixed | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
