Are broad-winged hawks a real threat? (Hint: Yes!)

[77horses]

For folks wondering if broad-wing hawks are a legitimate threat to full-grown chickens, just wanted to put in my two-cents: Yes, they are. I’ve seen debates about whether or not they’re even big enough to go after a chicken (they are, after all, smaller than a cooper, red tail, etc.) and I’ve been told they’re nothing to worry about because of their size. Well, found out yesterday that that’s not necessarily true.
We have a pair of broad-wings that nest in the woods right out behind our coop every year, so we see them often. We’ve had our chicken flock for about 3 years now and have never had any major issues with hawks going after them. We’re in a rural area so there’s plenty of other critters (squirrels, small birds, etc.) that I think have kept them preoccupied and uninterested in our free-ranging flock for the most part. We only let our chickens out to free-range in late afternoon til dark, while hawks prefer to hunt in the morning, so I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Nevertheless, for some reason they’ve suddenly taken an interest in our flock in the past week.
A couple days ago a broad-wing had a run-in with our rooster, not even 10 feet away from our back door, UNDER A RAISED DECK. Our rooster (who is a silkie mix- not small by any means but definitely not as big and buff as a Rhode Island Red) was able to fight it off long enough for me to run out and chase it off. Thankfully he was uninjured (he’s a boss).
In the past week I’ve seen one perching directly on top of the chicken run (which has a roof and is totally enclosed) and two of them hanging around the wood line more often, checking out the coop. Ever since our rooster got into a fight, our flock has been on lock-down mode; no free-ranging unless someone is out in the yard supervising them the entire time.
I’m thinking these hawks are young ones from this past spring; from what I know, only a young/inexperienced hawk would make a risky move like flying under a deck, directly beside a house, to try and get a rooster that’s about the same size as them. Especially when there are so many other woodland critters to go after. It’s not like food is scarce around here.
Anyways, just wanted to put it out there that yes, broad-wings can and will attempt to go after a full-grown chicken despite what I’ve often heard about them being too small. I’m not sure what we can do at this point aside from keeping the flock locked up in the run and waiting for the hawks to migrate south (shooting them is not an option for obvious reasons).
Hope this helps anyone who also has broad-wing hawks nearby!
PS- Yes, they are indeed broad-wings, identified based on their call (which is pretty distinguished) and sight/tail markings.

 

[centrarchid]

Picture of Broad-winged Hawks essential for this. Not off internet, those attacking your adult standard-sized chickens.

 

[Big Doggie]

For folks wondering if broad-wing hawks are a legitimate threat to full-grown chickens, just wanted to put in my two-cents: Yes, they are. I’ve seen debates about whether or not they’re even big enough to go after a chicken (they are, after all, smaller than a cooper, red tail, etc.) and I’ve been told they’re nothing to worry about because of their size. Well, found out yesterday that that’s not necessarily true.
We have a pair of broad-wings that nest in the woods right out behind our coop every year, so we see them often. We’ve had our chicken flock for about 3 years now and have never had any major issues with hawks going after them. We’re in a rural area so there’s plenty of other critters (squirrels, small birds, etc.) that I think have kept them preoccupied and uninterested in our free-ranging flock for the most part. We only let our chickens out to free-range in late afternoon til dark, while hawks prefer to hunt in the morning, so I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Nevertheless, for some reason they’ve suddenly taken an interest in our flock in the past week.
A couple days ago a broad-wing had a run-in with our rooster, not even 10 feet away from our back door, UNDER A RAISED DECK. Our rooster (who is a silkie mix- not small by any means but definitely not as big and buff as a Rhode Island Red) was able to fight it off long enough for me to run out and chase it off. Thankfully he was uninjured (he’s a boss).
In the past week I’ve seen one perching directly on top of the chicken run (which has a roof and is totally enclosed) and two of them hanging around the wood line more often, checking out the coop. Ever since our rooster got into a fight, our flock has been on lock-down mode; no free-ranging unless someone is out in the yard supervising them the entire time.
I’m thinking these hawks are young ones from this past spring; from what I know, only a young/inexperienced hawk would make a risky move like flying under a deck, directly beside a house, to try and get a rooster that’s about the same size as them. Especially when there are so many other woodland critters to go after. It’s not like food is scarce around here.
Anyways, just wanted to put it out there that yes, broad-wings can and will attempt to go after a full-grown chicken despite what I’ve often heard about them being too small. I’m not sure what we can do at this point aside from keeping the flock locked up in the run and waiting for the hawks to migrate south (shooting them is not an option for obvious reasons).
Hope this helps anyone who also has broad-wing hawks nearby!
PS- Yes, they are indeed broad-wings, identified based on their call (which is pretty distinguished) and sight/tail markings.

Red shouldered hawks are more likely to attack full grown birds than red tails according to the Audubon sources. Reds prefer squirrels which is fine by me!

 

[centrarchid]

Red shouldered hawks are more likely to attack full grown birds than red tails according to the Audubon sources. Reds prefer squirrels which is fine by me!

I think that is backwards; Red-tailed Hawk more likely than Red-shouldered Hawk to go after chickens.

 

[77horses]

Picture of Broad-winged Hawks essential for this. Not off internet, those attacking your adult standard-sized chickens.

I’ve been an amateur birdwatcher for quite a while, and broad-wings are pretty easy to identify with their size, call and plumage markings. I didn’t get any photos of the incident because it happened so quick, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. But it was 100% a broad-wing. In fact just this morning I saw a pair sitting in a tree right next to the coop.
Broad-wings rule this area, the only other birds of prey I’ve seen around here are bald eagles (once) and barred owls. That’s not to say that can’t change, and of course it’s not like other hawks can’t show up throughout the seasons, but what I saw was a broad-wing. No doubt about it.

 

[centrarchid]

I’ve been an amateur birdwatcher for quite a while, and broad-wings are pretty easy to identify with their size, call and plumage markings. I didn’t get any photos of the incident because it happened so quick, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. But it was 100% a broad-wing. In fact just this morning I saw a pair sitting in a tree right next to the coop.
Broad-wings rule this area, the only other birds of prey I’ve seen around here are bald eagles (once) and barred owls. That’s not to say that can’t change, and of course it’s not like other hawks can’t show up throughout the seasons, but what I saw was a broad-wing. No doubt about it.

I know raptors. You have to convince me. So far not even close and you are going to further confuse the masses.

 

[77horses]

I’ve been an amateur birdwatcher for quite a while, and broad-wings are pretty easy to identify with their size, call and plumage markings. I didn’t get any photos of the incident because it happened so quick, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. But it was 100% a broad-wing. In fact just this morning I saw a pair sitting in a tree right next to the coop.
Broad-wings rule this area, the only other birds of prey I’ve seen around here are bald eagles (once) and barred owls. That’s not to say that can’t change, and of course it’s not like other hawks can’t show up throughout the seasons, but what I saw was a broad-wing. No doubt about it.

Red shouldered hawks are more likely to attack full grown birds than red tails according to the Audubon sources. Reds prefer squirrels which is fine by me!

I’m in Maine. According to Aububon, red shouldered hawks are uncommon here. Red tails are unmistakable when you see one- it definitely wasn’t that (thankfully! I don’t think my rooster would’ve stood up to a red tail too well!)

 

[77horses]

I know raptors. You have to convince me. So far not even close and you are going to further confuse the masses.

I know raptors as well. Like I said, broad-wings are pretty obvious when you see one, and they nest literally 500 feet into the woods behind my coop. I see at least one or two almost every morning. The one that I saw fighting with my rooster was no different. I’m sorry you’re not convinced, and you didn’t see it with your own eyes, but I did and I know my knowledge on birds around here. If I ever get a chance to snap a photo, I’ll post it here. Heck I’ll even try to get a video of their easily identifiable call next time they’re around if a photo doesn’t speak for itself.

 

[77horses]

Here’s my silkie mix roo who fought it off, for comparison. Like I said he’s more of a medium-sized boy, but he did good to protect himself and his flock (especially being younger too- little over a year old).

 

[centrarchid]

Silkies......., not standard sized nor equipped for free-range.