Terrible, right? Sad sight but that's what hawks do; the others birds' know when the predator is usually occupied and therefore will not bother them, so it's safe for them to loiter. I know Red tailed hawks sometimes hunt ducks...

The hawk keeps coming back. I notice that there are still ducks in the area even though there is a foot of snow and it's 20 F. I figure theses guy would have migrated by now.

Paul

A few species of hawk reside in IL year-round, especially with a reliable food source.

Poor little duck. It's a sad sight but we have to accept it. Hawks eat birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, carrion and invertebrates. There was a time when I passed by my neighbors ranch and I saw a hawk carefully looking to his target. When he had the time, he grabbed the duckling very quick and flew away.

It's not sad, it's nature. I eat duck too.

While it may be disturbing to watch a hawk eat a duck, it is even more disturbing to see a hawk actually kill the duck. On at least three occasions, I have watched a Northern Harrier in the process of drowning a White-billed Coot. It is rather creepy to watch the Coot struggling just under the surface and finally becoming still. I did see one Coot escape. I know it is the way of nature, and Coots aren't really cute, but it is still upsetting to watch. I would have thought that Mallards were too big for this. Maybe it was injured or sick?