There are many Redtail Hawks in my local area, probably being our most prevalent species in eastern North Carolina. But it is unusual to see more than one or two on the same morning, but last friday in the Field I saw five and could not explain the behavior of two of them. The first two I saw were common events, each one sitting on or flying away from tall trees near field edges, no doubt hunting the area for rats or squirrels. But the other three I saw presented a mystery, at least to me. perhaps one of you out there can offer clarity. As I was driving down one of the paths, I saw ahead a Redtail sitting on the right side of the path and what appeared to be a Black Vulture on the left side. I stopped the car and got out to take pictures. The pictures below are in order as taken. First pic is the Hawk sitting on right side of path and then looking back. A Black Vulture shows up and is sitting on the left side and the two are in a standoff. A second Hawk appears over the scene and circles around and lands on left side beyond the Vulture.Later the 2ond Hawk flies at the Vulture, trying to drive it away, and eventually does. Then the first hawk and the second appear to be in a standoff. The second one flies to the left side of the road and sits. Now the first Hawk flies across the path and confronts the second one and a fight ensues. The second Hawk eventually runs the first one away. The second one sits for a minute after the fight, then finally flies away. Meantime a third Hawk has passed overhead a couple of times during this action. My interpretation of this is that the original Hawk was a boby being trained to fly. The Vulture was a threat and the parent Hawks were trying to protect the fledgling . The problem with this theory is that it was the first Hawk that was the baby and it doesn't make sense that the baby would attack and fight its parent as happened at the end. So, not sure--any theory welcomed.
The other pics are Bobwhites. This is one of the rare areas in this part of the country where you can find wild Bobwhite. See pics below.
The other pics are Bobwhites. This is one of the rare areas in this part of the country where you can find wild Bobwhite. See pics below.
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