Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Feeding time for Tompkins hawk family

It's been 15 days since the first two Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk chicks fledged the nest, and 11 days since the youngest made the big leap.  All three are doing great, practicing their flying skills and being cared for by mom and dad.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling

On Sunday, two of the fledglings were confronted by a curious squirrel. After staring at each other for a minute, the squirrel determined they were not much of a threat, and scampered away.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings with a squirrel

Dinner time is my favorite time to observe the hawks. Dad Christo commands the proceedings and on this day, pigeon was on the menu.

Christo with dinner.

After securing the pigeon, Christo called out to Amelia to announce dinner was ready. She swooped in and took the pigeon from him.

Christo passes the pigeon to Amelia.

Amelia takes the pigeon from Christo.

These two work very well together. He catches the prey, and she prepares it for the kids.
 
Christo and Amelia.

One of the fledglings responds to the dinner bell.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling.

There was a moment of chaos when Christo delivered a second meal (a small bird) to Amelia in another tree and she was ambushed by one of the fledglings.

Christo watches Amelia and a fledgling battle for prey.

The fledgling took the food, but another came and tried unsuccessfully to steal it.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

The hawk with the food held up their wings to keep their sibling from getting close to their meal.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

As it mantled the food, the second fledgling could only watch as its sibling scarfed it down.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Not to worry, though, as the parents make sure all three are fed well.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings.

The sequence above shows a milestone for the fledgling who got the food: it was able to take the prey and feed itself without the assistance of the parents. It's worth noting that Christo provided a small bird that the fledgling could handle on its own. 

More to come.

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