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 1
When I first arrived the nest was unoccupied. A rain storm had passed through just an hour or so before, and I feared the worst. I was greatly relieved when the female returned to the nest just a few minutes later.
The weather was still overcast and the temperature was relatively cool(60F/16C). Despite this the female remained on the rim of the nest, and did not immediately begin to incubate the eggs. Perhaps she was allowing the nest to dry out a bit.
While she waited the male stopped by for a quick visit, and he came bearing a gift. The male presented the female with a small snake and then quickly left to continue hunting.
The female proceeded to eat the snake, and then settled back into the job of incubating the eggs.
The Video below includes a zoom-in to the nest.
This observation is continued at: Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update 3
| County | – | Dallas |
|
| City | – | Dallas | |
| Date | – | Apr 20, 2012 | |
| Time of Day | – | Afternoon | |
| Temperature | – | Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C) | |
| Weather | – | Overcast | |
| Habitat | – | Recreation-Park | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Nesting | |
| Gender | – | Mixed | |
| Maturity | – | Adult | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
