[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Fw: hawk and squirrel



Several years ago we watched a Cooper's Hawk dining on Grey Squirrel in
a small Oak tree several doors away from our house.  I found this
surprising, but according to Bent, Cooper Hawks do occasionally take a
squirrel.

Dick

Charles R. (Dick) Burk
Pinehurst, NC
crburk@mindspring.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Harrold, Eric S <esharrol@email.uncc.edu>
To: <John.Batson@furman.edu>
Cc: <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 7:25 AM
Subject: RE: hawk and squirrel


> John,
>
> As a falconer, I am very amazed by your account, and I will assume
that you
> correctly identified the bird.  I would say that based on the
toughness of
> squirrel hide, that it would be very challenging for a sharpie to
break into
> it.  I grew up hunting and skinning squirrels.  I've seen red-tails
and
> Harris hawks struggle for a while with a squirrel.  I'm even amazed
that the
> sharpie could kill it without losing a toe.  Again, red-tails and
Harris
> hawks have lost toes hunting squirrels and no doubt it happens in the
wild
> from time to time.
>
> Eric Harrold
> esharrol@email.uncc.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John.Batson@furman.edu
> To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
> Sent: 3/21/01 7:59 PM
> Subject: hawk and squirrel
>
> A sharpie nabbed an adult squirrel in front of the Furman University
> Library at lunchtime today and generated quite some interest among
> students.
>
> After killing the squirrel just meters away from humans, it attempted
to
> fly off with its prey but could not get airborne.  After repeated
> attempts
> to leave, it ended up in a partially drained fountain that will be
> cleared
> of debris.  After the squirrel was soaked and the hawk "gave up"
trying
> to
> fly away, it spent a lot of time trying to eat on the spot.   After an
> hour
> of watching, I left, but the bird never truly opened up the carcass,
yet
> would not abandon it either.
>
> How often do sharpies go for squirrels?  And how likely is it that a
> sharpie can open up a squirrel?
>
> By the way, I found students' reactions to all this quite interesting,
> but
> that story is probably not appropriate for this listserv.
>
> John Batson
> Psychology Dept
> Furman Univ
> Greenville SC
>
>
>