3 replies to this topic

[Niebla]

Dear David,

A question about behavior.

This morning I saw a Red-tailed Hawk under attack by a Kestrel. It was an odd show since the red-tail is several times larger. The Kestrel hounded the red-tail relentlesly. When perched the red-tail would just cower and duck as the Kestrel swooped down on it, circled nimbly, and dived at it, again and again. The red-tail finally fled, with the Kestrel in hot pursuit. The Kestrel chased and continued to harrass the red-tail closely across a great distance, until both were out of sight. An hour later I returned to the spot where I had first seen them, and the red-tail was perched right where he had been originally, and the Kestrel was attacking him just like before.

I realize you can't read birds minds, but can you shed any light on what was going on. I wonder: 

Might the Kestrel have been trying to keep the Red-tail away from its nest? 

Why wouldn't the much larger red-tail attack back?

Or if it wasn't going to fight, why return?

PS: Apart from the drama, the acrobatic flying of the Kestrel was really something to see as he, very literally, fly circles around the bigger hawk.

Chris

[David Lukas]

The kestrel was more likely trying to keep the red-tail out of its territory. Who would feel secure with a big hungry predator, especially one that could eat your babies, living in your territory?

The red-tail was probably had its attention more focussed on finding a nest site for itself and was trying to ignore the kestrel.

I am sure they will work out a balance of some kind as the season progresses. Neither species can afford to waste energy on each other when they have nestlings to care for.

The red-tail probably doesn't fight back because it encounters the nuisance of smaller birds harassing it all day long. It much larger territory probably encompasses several kestrel territories, not to mention a number of other small birds that will chase the red-tail every time they see it. From the red-tails perspective it just isn't worth trying to catch or kill one of these smaller birds because it will be replaced within hours by another bird, and another bird, and another, ad nauseum. Red-tails just put their heads down and try to put up with it!

Great question,

David Lukas

[BlueManticore]

That is really interesting to learn.  I've got kestrels and red-tails in my area, from now on I'm going to pay closer attention to their behavior when I see them together.

[Niebla]

Thanks David,

From a naive point of view, it's easy to suppose that life near the top of the food chain life would be a piece of cake.  Hah!

Chris