As stated in an earlier post, we have a new resident in Madison Square Park, and the pigeons and squirrels are not happy about it. Red-tailed Hawks are one of the most common birds of prey in North America, inhabiting open country, woodlands, prairies, mountains, plains and of course the occasional bustling metropolis. While it was first believed that there was one Hawk in the park, we now suspect that there might actually be two of these majestic raptors flying about. The Hawks that favor our park are known in scientific circles as Buteo jamaicensis. A young female is often seen hunting during the day while shots of a larger male have been snagged by the Gothamist.

Some park goers are naming the female ‘Luna’ because she was first seen hunting one morning with a full moon as her backdrop. Luna’s tail might not look very red, but this is common, as individuals of this species show great variation in feather patterning and coloration across the U.S., and may or may not have the famous red tail that denotes its common name.

Red-tailed Hawks are slower and larger than many of their Hawk relatives, relying on insanely strong eyesight and stealth to snatch prey, making the kill almost instantly with their sharp talons. Hawks can lift approximately half of their body weight, so heavier prey is eaten on the ground as long as no imminent danger is lurking. Normally they will then fly up into a tree to devour their meal.  Being generalized hunters, they will gladly snack on any small animal that they take a fancy to, including mice, rats, pigeons and of course…the plump Mad. Sq. Squirrels.

Last winter there were no Hawk sightings in Mad. Sq. Park, I believe, owing to the tremendous snow cover that blanketed the park. These conditions make it extremely difficult to locate prey that generally burrows, so it is likely that several birds of prey migrated to warmer or at least less snowy areas.

Some people express chagrin when they see a bird of prey killing and eating a smaller animal, and bemoan the loss of life. However, they should take a moment to think about the natural rhythms of life to which the whole world is bound. So I suggest that we all just try to enjoy being able to witness this interesting and, yes… majestic creature while it shares the beautiful park with us.

For more information on Buteo jamaicensis, check out this site, where you can even listen to a Red Tail hawk let forth one of its world famous, ear piercing screams! Or, submit a caption for Luna in the New York Time’s Caption Contest.

Happily playing in the dirt,

Gardener Matthew and Steph