Comments on: ‘Your bird is out there above the dumpsters.’ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/ A Bird Watcher's View of the World Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:36:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Soeur http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-14 Soeur Fri, 16 Nov 2007 03:31:44 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-14 Bravo Kate! As you know red-tails are common where I live in Hummelstown. They are magnificent. I often see little raptors & can't identify them...the sparrows of the big birds I guess :) Bravo Kate!
As you know red-tails are common where I live in Hummelstown. They are magnificent. I often see little raptors & can’t identify them…the sparrows of the big birds I guess :)

]]> By: Z http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-12 Z Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:59:56 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-12 About three years ago, I saw what I believe was a red-tailed hawk enjoying a pigeon-snack on the lawn of the Cathedral of Learning. The reason I think it was a red-tail was because it was quite a large bird - probably 2 to 3 times the size of the pigeon, and it had a grey-brown body and a rusty red tail. I was surprised to see it, because I thought the Cathedral peregrines would be much more territorial. That and the sight of pigeon feathers strewn down the slope of the lawn are why I remember the event. Since then, I have noticed birds that I again believe to be red-tailed hawks perched on rooftops and lampposts around Greenfield. They are just so beautiful when they soar! Thanks for the blog. It's very entertaining. About three years ago, I saw what I believe was a red-tailed hawk enjoying a pigeon-snack on the lawn of the Cathedral of Learning. The reason I think it was a red-tail was because it was quite a large bird - probably 2 to 3 times the size of the pigeon, and it had a grey-brown body and a rusty red tail. I was surprised to see it, because I thought the Cathedral peregrines would be much more territorial. That and the sight of pigeon feathers strewn down the slope of the lawn are why I remember the event.

Since then, I have noticed birds that I again believe to be red-tailed hawks perched on rooftops and lampposts around Greenfield. They are just so beautiful when they soar!

Thanks for the blog. It’s very entertaining.

]]> By: Vern http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-11 Vern Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:48:05 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-11 The best dumpster bird I ever had were numerous Bald Eagles outside a McDonald's dumpster on the Naval Air Station in Adak Alaska. It was ironic to see such a traditonal American Symbol, feeding out of the dumpster of such an iconic symbol of current American life. Vern The best dumpster bird I ever had were numerous Bald Eagles outside a McDonald’s dumpster on the Naval Air Station in Adak Alaska. It was ironic to see such a traditonal American Symbol, feeding out of the dumpster of such an iconic symbol of current American life.
Vern

]]> By: Kate http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-10 Kate Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:36:01 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-10 Baby ducks: yes, baby animals walking on the ground are fair game. Ducks have huge broods to offset the mortality rate. A wide variety of mammals, reptiles and birds eat their babies. Natural predators: A red-tail hawk's highest vulnerability is in the nest. Great horned owls, ravens and crows will eat their eggs and nestlings. Other than that a red-tail is in the clear if he makes it past the first two years of life - unless he doesn't watch out for cars while hunting by the road. Baby ducks: yes, baby animals walking on the ground are fair game. Ducks have huge broods to offset the mortality rate. A wide variety of mammals, reptiles and birds eat their babies.

Natural predators: A red-tail hawk’s highest vulnerability is in the nest. Great horned owls, ravens and crows will eat their eggs and nestlings. Other than that a red-tail is in the clear if he makes it past the first two years of life - unless he doesn’t watch out for cars while hunting by the road.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-9 Kathy Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:09:34 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2007/11/14/your-bird-is-out-there-above-the-dumpsters/#comment-9 There are some redtails in my neighborhood who like to catch ducks, especially the baby ones. They have caught almost all of those but 2. Do redtails have any natural predators? I know the crows or jays will harass them or owls as I see that from my yard. I am enjoying coming to your page for the blogs very much! There are some redtails in my neighborhood who like to catch ducks, especially the baby ones. They have caught almost all of those but 2. Do redtails have any natural predators? I know the crows or jays will harass them or owls as I see that from my yard. I am enjoying coming to your page for the blogs very much!

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