You may witness it in parks, the countryside, in the woods, and even near your own backyard.
The diet of a red-tailed hawk usually consists of small mammals like rats, squirrels, and rabbits, but it’ll also occasionally eat snakes or other birds, including starlings and pheasants.īecause the red-tailed hawk adapts almost instantly to its surroundings, you can find it anywhere. And even though it’s one of the largest hawk species in Kentucky, its average weight is only two pounds. This beautiful hawk has broad and rounded wings with creamy undersides and brown markings. This species is commonly spotted across North America, and you can catch one perched on a roadside pole in Kentucky at any time of the year. The red-tailed hawk is another powerful bird of prey you’ll likely love to see in Kentucky. They’ll also eat arctic ground squirrels, hares, and even a few smaller-sized birds, like the ptarmigan. They hunt a wide range of prey, with their food usually consisting of small rodents in the winter and lemmings, which can be found in abundance in the Arctic tundra, in the summer. They sometimes hunt from elevated positions, too.
They’re known for their long wings and have a body shape that’s quite similar to that of red-tailed hawks.īesides the feathers that go all the way to their feet, the rough-legged hawk is unique because of its hunting style, which revolves around them hovering in the face of the wind in search of their prey. You may also find them in light and dark morphs. Rough-legged hawks come in dark-brown and white colorations. But in the winter, a bird lover may be able to see these raptors in the northern half of Kentucky where it’s much warmer. Rough-Legged Hawkĭuring the summer, rough-legged hawks stay in the Arctic tundra, where they breed and nest on cliffs and outcroppings. While hunting, the broad-winged hawk releases a high-pitched whistle. It perches on the highest tree branch awaiting its prey, then swoops down gracefully to capture a frog or a smaller mammal. One of the most remarkable things about this hawk is its hunting style. Its favorite trees to nest in include European larch, red pine, white pine, yellow birch, and white oak. It also likes to stay near bodies of water, where it’ll happily build its nests. This hawk usually lives in forests and as far away from humans as possible. You may be lucky enough to catch the glorious display of thousands of birds heading south if you live near the mountain ridges or coastlines.
In the fall, the broad-winged hawk migrates to South America in flocks. The perfect time to look for this hawk in Kentucky is during the breeding season, specifically from April to August. The broad-winged hawk can be fascinating to witness with its stocky body and reddish coloring. Ready to become a bit more familiar with those magnificent birds? Let’s dive in! Broad-Winged Hawk With various appearances, food habits, and hunting skills, these raptors are a joy to watch in action. Once you take a look at our list of hawks in Kentucky, you’ll notice how each hawk is unique in its own way. This means the state is rich in natural resources and forested areas, which supports the existence of so many wild birds. The rest of these raptors include eagles, falcons, and owls. The Bluegrass State alone has up to 22 birds of prey residing within its borders, seven of which are hawks. If you love to watch wild birds in their natural habitat, you’ll think Kentucky is heaven.
0 kommentar(er)
