Birds of Prey - Hide your kids!

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4f1c28b8a19a5-.jpg

I was enjoying my breakfast this morning and looked out into the backyard to see this big fella feasting on a smaller bird – freshly killed.  The snow was covered in feathers and boy did he make quick work of that carcass! From a distance I’d say he was about 12-15″ tall. Anyone know what type of bird this visitor is? I might think twice before leaving my burgers next to the grill next time I’m getting ready to BBQ.

widthom

in Quality of Life 13 years and 4 months ago

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catboot | 13 years and 4 months ago

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There was a hawk in my back yard in Bed Stuy a few weeks ago. Wonder if it’s the same one?

brooklynbilt | 13 years and 4 months ago

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My neighbor saw a bird of prey (she said it had some red on it) in her backyard eating a pigeon yesterday. Same M. O. Different crime scene. We are on Prospect Place and 6th.

mab | 13 years and 4 months ago

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It’s difficult to determine from the photo, but another possibility would be a red-tail hawk.  Red-tails have been found recently in Carroll Gardens, particularly Carroll Park itself where they’ve have been seen lunching on small animals (birds, squirrels, mice).  Several years ago I even saw in my backyard a wild pheasant just sitting there, perhaps taking a break after having strayed from its flock migrating south for the winter (if that’s what they do).  It flew away after about 10 minutes, but how beautiful is that to see in  Brooklyn.

greenmountain | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Merlin, male.  Also known as Pigeon hawk.  Falco Columbarius.  He is a falcon.  NYC may be at the northern border of his winter range, or in his migration route.  Given the mostly warm weather, maybe he never made it further south this year, or came back north again with the recent storm.  Another possibility is an abundance of food in prior breeding years increased the population and he may be checking out Brooklyn for its good eats and lady merlins.  Really nice photo.  Can you give a more precise location?

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Did you post this on Park Slope Parents??  Maybe some of them ought to think twice before leaving them in strollers unattended, in front of a bar.  On the other hand, all of us probably know at least one Park Slope kid that we’d wish this on, right?   🙂

Arkady | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Could be a Cooper’s Hawk