2013

The Red-tailed Hawk family has succeed in having two eyas. Very hard to see them but I can hear them and see them flapping around high in the nest.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mantling over the food - Oldest fledgling takes charge July 9, 2009

Mantling to protect her food

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lunch

Today I saw the oldest fledgling take charge of the food and show the other 2 who is in charge. The fledgling (a female) mantled the food and would not allow either brother or sister near the food. She ate 95% of the pigeon herself. The second oldest fledgling tried to come in for food and she mantled it again and started to run on the ground carrying the food. Finally near the end she allowed her sister to come near and have a bit of the food. (NOTE: all of this was taking place on the ground). The youngest fledgling did not even try to come near the food - sat in the tree and watched what was going on. Did some crying but did not go near the food.

Before I arrived the 2 adults had arrived and dropped off food. Apparently the oldest fledgling then flew into the woods across the street with the food and the other 2 fledgling chased her. According to the people watching they made quite the noise and it was quite the chase. I had no trouble finding them. I could hear them across the street. lol.