Hawks at play

Our Tompkins Square hawk fledglings really love to play with sticks.  After watching them have so much fun, I don't think I'll ever look at another stick and not think of pouncing on it.







 



There's always time to take a break from stick-play to pose for photos...



...or to people-watch.



Just after sunset on Sunday, one of the kids caught a rat over by the handball courts.



I've seen the young hawks catch mice, but this was the first time I saw any of them catch a rat, and the scene drew quite a crowd...



...and there were many cheers as the hawk struggled to get the heavy rat up and over  a fence, then zoomed down Avenue B.



I hear a lot of interesting comments from people encountering the hawks for the first time.  My favorites from this day were:

Man (while watching a hawk hop around in a tree):  What is that?  Oh, it's just a cat.

Another man (coming upon a crowd of people looking up at a hawk in a tree):  What are y'all looking at?  GOD?!

Yes.


See more hawk photos here:

City hawks 3
City hawks 2
City hawks 1

Previously.

Saturday in the park

In Tompkins Square...







The most awesome hair ever...

Dora returns

It's been three weeks since I've seen Dora the hawk, and I was beginning to worry.  I've heard that female hawks often take some time off after nest duty, so I assumed she was off getting a spa treatment somewhere, but I was getting anxious not knowing where she was.

The last few nights, Christo has been calling at sunset.  He often sits on the local church crosses or the flagpole in the park and cries.  Last night, I heard an answering cry, but couldn't see who made the sound.  Tonight, I can confirm Dora is back in the 'hood.

I found the pair sitting atop the cross of the Most Holy Redeemer church on E 3rd Street and Avenue A.  Christo is on top.  I knew it was him because of his shape, light head color, and a distinctive tail feather.



I wasn't quite sure if that was Dora on the left or not, but then she moved and I recognized her shape and face (and her feathers are a bit ratty).  They also sat up there together for almost three hours, which is consistent with their behavior.



A peck on the cheek?



They are a stunning pair.



As the sun set, Christo took off sailing over Avenue A and was joined by two juveniles, which I presume are his kids.  That's Christo on the upper left.



The three flew around and frolicked on the roof of one of the Village View apartment buildings while Dora watched from the cross as the sun went down...

I don't think I ever posted this, but it's one of my favorite images of Dora.  This is her clearing out some left-overs from the nest.



Welcome back, Dora!


See more hawk photos here:

City hawks 3
City hawks 2
City hawks 1

Previously. 

Christo serves up dinner

In the previous post, one of the Tompkins Square fledglings swallowed a mouse whole.  As soon as it finished, dad Christo caught a rat a short distance away and delivered it to the same fledgling, who had a second helping of rodent.

Here is Christo preparing the entree...













Thanks, dad!



See more hawk photos here:

City hawks 3
City hawks 2
City hawks 1

Previously.

How to eat a mouse in one easy gulp

1.  Catch the biggest and freshest mouse you can find.



2.  Pop the top and stuff it right in there.  Mind your eyes!



3.  Don't be shy, just chomp it right down...



4.  Careful not to gag.



5.  Ta-da!



Erm, you've got a little foot sticking out the corner of your mouth...

 

This fledgling caught the mouse in the picnic area of Tompkins Square, then gobbled it in just a couple of minutes.  Immediately afterwards, dad Christo caught a mongo rat and gave it to the young bird, who ate that as well.  This hawk must have eaten its weight in rodent.  I bet it's sleeping well tonight...

Growing up fast

How do you find the hawks in Tompkins Square?

Listen for the robins and blue jays screaming.  If that fails, look for the hawks' favorite play areas, like the fenced-in lawns, where all the good hawk toys are.



Toys like ferocious branches...



...and wily sticks!



Leaves can be fun, too.



Horsing around in the grass is even more enjoyable with a playmate.

Who, us?



It's probably more accurate to say these two are playing independently, near each other.  I want to say they are the oldest two fledglings who stuck together on the nest, but I'm not really sure. One of them has to be Shaft!



Tired of playing on the grass, one of the birds decides to snoop around the benches.



All that play has a purpose.  The following day, this young one successfully catches a mouse over by Avenue A.  If you look close, you can see it in the talons.



Flying, playing and hunting are physically taxing.  Time for yoga!



Up, up and away to roost for the evening...



For anyone interested in hearing dad Christo's voice, here is a short video of him calling from atop the flag pole in the park.  I was hoping Dora would answer, but I've still not seen her since the last bird left the nest.



UPDATE:  Our friend Francois Portmann has created a time-lapse video of the hawk family on the nest.  See the chicks grow up - three months in three minutes!

See more hawk photos here:

City hawks 3
City hawks 2
City hawks 1

Previously.

Just one look

Wild ones

The Tompkins Square hawks continue to have fun in the park.  I love seeing them buzz by people's heads and pounce on unsuspecting sticks.











All three fledglings look to be doing well.  Dad Christo continues to feed them, but they're practicing their hunting skills by chasing anything that moves (as well as things that don't).

I haven't seen Dora since the last fledge on July 2, but Roger Paw caught her back up on the nest on July 5.  From what I understand, it's not unusual for the female to take a vacation after the fledglings leave the nest, so I'm not too worried.

Meanwhile, Christo is taking care of his kids, but is still getting some attitude. I'm not sure if this is the same fledgling who keeps doing this, but here again Christo (left) gets knocked off the flagpole by a rambunctious juvenile.



Funny, because at the same time a short distance away, this was going on....similar behavior?



I'm a wild one!
Gonna break loose
Gonna keep a movin' wild
Gonna keep a swingin', baby
I'm a real wild child!     

-- Iggy Pop




See more hawk photos here:

City hawks 3
City hawks 2
City hawks 1

Previously.