Sharp-Shinned Attack at the Bird Cams!
- Zach (Head Flocker)
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
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Raptor Migration has Begun
Less than two weeks ago, I was filling feeders after the bird cameras were off for the day. As I filled, the juncos danced around my feet. Fortunately (for the juncos), my hulking figure created enough buffer that as an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped after a junco, they escaped into the safety of the thick brush. Sharp-shinned Hawks are not regular specters at our feeders during the winter, so when this young hawk swept through, I knew raptor migration was on.
A Lucky View
I was on the phone with a good friend discussing hummingbird monitoring and conservation when Sharp-shinned Number Two made an appearance. I saw it fly in from the thick cover, miss on two juncos, and then sulk under the feeders (spend time with a falconer, and you will learn that, yes, raptors sulk). This Sharp-shinned's failure was not due to its inability to hunt effectively. Almost any raptor that reaches adulthood is an effective predator. Instead, it was the Chickadee Network™ that saved the present songbirds. In the video below, you will hear the chickadees give what I call the "accipter alert." Chickadees use different calls for different predators, and you will notice that the Black-capped Chickadee in view immediately flies for cover. Then, the House Finches all hunch down, preparing to escape. The Chickadee Network™ is truly nature's best alarm security system.
After ending the call, I grabbed my camera to capture the images seen in this video and article, and then I ran and checked the tape to see if the birdcams captured footage. Luckily, two cameras did see the event. Enjoy this multi-angle view of a Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting!
If you are unsure how we identified this hawk, read our article on Sharp-shinned vs Cooper's Hawk Identification!
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