Tompkins Square hawk fledglings curious about their world

Good morning! 

All three Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings continue to do well and have been demonstrating their flying skills by dramatically zipping around the park. 

 

This one stretches its wings in preparation for take-off. 

I caught up with two of the three siblings the other morning as they waited for Dad to deliver breakfast.

The one on the right couldn't stay still and took off to join its other sibling on the other side of the park.

The hawks are also learning to chase prey, like squirrels. So far, the squirrels have out-witted them.

This squirrel had no tolerance for a hawk at the foot of its tree.

After taunting the hawk a while, the squirrel retreated up the tree and the hawk moved on to other things.

This is the same fledgling taking a walk though a meadow, looking for things of interest.

Maybe there's something interesting in these bushes...

The hawks are just past two months old and are basically toddlers, curious about everything around them. They also need their rest, so this one took a break in the shade and let its wings flop out. They also do this to cool off in hot temps.

Just before sunset, one of the fledglings took an interest in people sitting along a fence. It perched behind them and none of them seemed to notice the giant bird.

One way to find the hawks in the park is to listen to other birds screaming at them. Robins and Blue Jays are the loudest and persistent. I found this fledgling in a tree thanks to the Blue Jay on the right who announced its presence to the world.

Seeing the hawks as they are now, it's hard to believe they were still fuzzy little things just a month ago. The photos below are all from May.

 

Two chicks peer from the nest: 

Showing off those impressive wings:

The threesome having a discussion at the nest:

All three hanging out and stretching:

Getting some exercise:

This is one of the last photos I have of them as they are molting out of their fuzzy down and growing their wing and tail feathers.

More to come...

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings are now two months old

The Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings are now two months old and are looking great.

They're learning quickly, improving their flying and navigation skills.

I love the patterns on their feathers. Note the toe and talon sticking out in the lower right.

I've been finding two of them close together a lot. Getting all three in one shot has been a challenge.

As always, I'm impressed by their flexibility, especially their necks. The hawk below on the right is getting a better look at its sibling by turning its head around and upside-down.

Note the difference in size of these two. They could be male (smaller) and female (larger), but I can't know for sure.

There's a lot of dropped food around the park, so be careful where you sit. This one scavenged a dead rat from beneath some flowers.

I love the color of the young hawks' eyes, which is a minty green. As they age, their eyes will turn brown.

And here is that scavenged rat from the flower bed...

All three are looking good and appear to be doing well.

Meanwhile, the hawks' parents are keeping close eyes on all the fledglings. This is Amelia the other day perched on the top floor of the Christodora, watching over one of her kids in the park below.

Amelia took off and was replaced by dad, Charlie, in the same spot. After he located all three fledglings, he delivered food to each one.

More to come...

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings enjoying lazy summer afternoons

Our fledgling red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park are getting the hang of flying and landing, balancing in trees, and figuring out how to be raptors.

This is one of them in flight along Avenue B. 

Looking good!

The three young hawks are getting to know their neighbors, especially the squirrels.

Mom and Dad are still providing food to the fledglings so they can focus on their flying skills. As they are well-fed and content, there's time for relaxing in the warm afternoons. This young hawk is just chilling on a branch.

The young hawks need their nap time as well. Below, one fledgling rests in a bed it made of leaves while its sibling nibbles at it, encouraging it to get up.

Relenting, the sleepy hawk got up and joined its sibling on a nearby branch.

Here is one of the fledglings with mom, Amelia.

They are soon joined by another fledgling.

After a few minutes (with no food to be had), one of the fledglings takes off.

All three young hawks currently have peachy-yellow chests which can help identify them. The pattern of brown spots is unique to each individual.

Looking very serious...

The fledglings all have heavy dark splotching across their bellies, and brown spots on their legs. Their eyes are also a lighter color than the adults, who have brown eyes.

Keep an eye out in the park for people with binoculars who are likely looking at the hawks.