I'm getting attacked by a Broad wing hawk

16 years ago

I have a nest of hawks and they have not been a problem since they have been here (about two months). But now one has been buzzing me real close in recent two weeks. I thought it was just having a little fun. Two days ago it came from behind me and nailed me in the head. It landed in a nearby tree and just looked at me. When I turned away from it and walked in other direction it tried to get me again. MY wife scared it off just before impact. It felt like someone threw a basketball at my head when I got hit.

I just went out on the deck and the thing dove at me again.

Anyone got any ideas on what to do about this because now I can't even go in the yard without it going after me. The nest is about 100yds away from my house way up in a pine tree. It seems to just go after me with the gray hair. I must say that my hair getting grayer.

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Comments (9)

cynandjon
16 years ago
We had the same thing happen in the area where I live but it was redwing hawks.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070710/NEWS/707100322
cynandjon
16 years ago
I forgot to add, they will soon be less aggressive. they have young now and probably have a nest in your yard
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I don't know why, but the last 2 times in as many days that I've tried to respond on this thread, my comment has just disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle or something. Today, from inside my house, I heard the same screaming. Stepping out on my front walk, I could tell it was up in my pine tree. Look as I might, I could not see the hawk, but there was a ton of noise and commotion up there. I think I saw some grackles and some bluejays hoppping around, and I still wasn't positive there was even a hawk up there, despite the screams (not being a bird expert, I don't know the calls for certain). I thought maybe it was the blue jays screaming. This time I had the camera. i took a step onto the grass under the trees to aim for a better vantage point, but before I could do anything else, a HUGE (wide wingspan) bird flapped out of the tree, away from me and my house, and flew off into the distance. With him flew at least two smaller birds (same as last time). He didn't seem to be chased by them. They seemed to be companions? wingmen? LOL I dont' know. Anyway, I stupidly was trying to turn on my camera although it was already on and I didn't get a picture. I'm marvelling at the fact that this large bird can hide itself in the trees so well. This is the second time I was certain of it's location in a particular tree but still could not see it. Anyway, I think it's pretty cool!
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You can't disturb a nest once it has eggs in it. If you at all prevent a hawk from raising it's young, it's called a 'take'. The hawk may or may not abandon the nest and the young may or may not get the food they need to grow and if any of the disturbance is your doing, US Fish & Wildlife will be secretly filming you and trying to build a case. Many people get on a 'witch hunt' over hawks and 'their rights'. It's a small minded neighborhood thing because many view the hawks now as cool thanks to nest cams. My advice is to remove any tall trees that would be an ideal nesting site if budget allows, or make them unappealing before nesting season by paying a tree climber to add a fake racoon or fake owls that move, or other bright, big objects that move such as huge balloons with eyes, large shiny pinwheels with tape that flashes in the breeze. Add several so as to overwhelm the hawk as it first approaches it's old nesting area. It may not stop the hawk from coming to the area but may pursuade it to nest elsewhere. Just make sure that the type of hawk you're trying to encourage to move isn't considered endangered in your area. Your local game commission may have that information. A pic provided to them will be helpful. I know red shouldered hawks are becoming more scarce due to red tail hawks taking over good hunting and nesting grounds. Just check with your local authorities before taking any action.
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als_in_nh
Original Author
16 years ago
This turned into a nightmare for me because the Doctor had me get a tetanus shot just in case. I got a reaction from the shot 24 hrs later and ended up in ER because I couldn't shake a fever. Anyway, 6 days after the attack on my head I'm getting back to normal. I haven't seen the hawk and it appears to be gone. The nest has at least 1 young one about ready to fly.
cynandjon
16 years ago
If you read the article I think it said they are wearing helmets. LOL anyway if you see hawks and your gardening,grab that bike helmet.
als_in_nh
Original Author
16 years ago
I do wear a hard hat, but like I said I haven't seen any parent around the nest at all for about 3 days now. I wonder if it is common for the parents to leave the young alone just before they are ready to leave the nest on their own?
cynandjon
16 years ago
usually the fledgelings scream for the parents to come and feed them. They feed them for a while after they are old enough to leave. The parents might be around and trying to coax them out of the nest.
als_in_nh
Original Author
16 years ago
Update on the two fledlings. They are doing well and pretty grown up. Parents are gone. They are still around my yard and get pretty excited when I mow the lawn. They usually find something that I disturb in the grass for them to eat.

I decided to have some fun yesterday (too much time on my hands I guess) with them to get a closer look. I put a red hot dog on the lawn attached with fishing line far out in the back. No hooks by the way. I kept twitching it across the grass while they were perched above. You guessed it, one of them from high above dove down onto it where I could see it up close. He only ate a little of the dog though then took off. I did it again and the other one dove at it again. This hawk kept picking at the fishing line but didn't stay too long. I didn't have the camera handy, but what a sight to see it fold up its wings from high above to attack it.

Oh, by the way, when I was about 12 yrs old,61 now, I used to have five of these Broad winged hawks as pets. I wish I could find the pic that was taken of me with one sitting on my shoulder. Thats it for now.
als_in_nh
Original Author
15 years ago
Well folks, the Hawks are back. They used my bird bath yesterday to wash their Dove kill. What a bloody mess.
birdsarecool
15 years ago
Haha, that's pretty funny. Well, it's nice to hear that the parents are back and the young are flying.

I'm getting attacked by a Broad wing hawk

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I'm getting attacked by a Broad wing hawk

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cynandjon

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