Red-Tailed Hawk: Commonsense

Allied with Europe’s Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the Hawk of the New World, living from Alaska to Jamaica. Larger than other Hawks, She is the most widely-distributed diurnal Raptor in North America. Red-Tailed Hawk is easily identified by her magnificent wingspan and the red colors of her tail.

A member of the Buteo family of Soaring Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawk is seen perched on treetops and utility poles. Spotting prey, She dives to grasp the animal in her talons. Hunting Small Mammals, Red-Tailed Hawk searches for Voles, her favorite food. In the cities, She eats Cats and Pigeons.

Red-Tailed Hawk uses guile to hunt Rattlesnake. Looking large and threatening, She walks towards Him with her wings outstretched. As Red-Tailed Hawk closes in on Rattlesnake, She brings her wing tips to the front. When He strikes her bloodless wing tips, She strikes with her talons, catching Rattlesnake below the head.

Although Red-Tailed Hawk prefers life in the uplands, She will live in cities. Wherever She lives, Red-Tailed Hawk builds her nest at the forest’s edge or in large trees surrounded by open areas. With Her mate, She fiercely defends their nest against intruders to her nest and territory. However, if Great Horned Owl wants her nest, Red-Tailed Hawk will move to a new nest site. In spite of this, She will use the same nest, which Great Horned Owl took, the following year.

To the Pueblo Peoples, Red-Tailed Hawk was endowed with the same qualities as Eagle. Because She was a messenger of spirit, they called Her “Red Eagle”. Through her flight, Red-Tailed Hawk communicated messages from the Great Mystery. In addition, She brought the rains and the waters necessary for life.

Red-Tailed Hawk teaches commonsense. She uses her commonsense in living with Great Horned Owl. Instead of fighting with the formidable Owl, She prudently decides to not contest His claim. When She hunts Rattlesnakes, Red-Tailed Hawk uses the least vulnerable part of her body. In all She does, Red-Tailed Hawk employs commonsense. She urges you to think before tackling the Great Horned Owl in your life.

OSPREY (SEA HAWK): Choices

Often mistaken for an immature Bald Eagle, Osprey is the only raptor with a reversible outer toe. However, this “Fish Hawk” is neither a Hawk nor a Falcon, but instead is classified in her own family of Pandianidae. With her special toe, Osprey is perfectly adapted to capturing and securing her elusive prey-Fish.

As a fish eater, Osprey has one of the widest ranges for Birds, and can be found worldwide. Her opposable toe gives Her wide latitude also. For example, when Osprey is perching on a tree, her three toes remain in front while the fourth one grips the branch from the back. In catching a Fish, her toes line up with two on either side of her prey. Flying low over the lake, Osprey grabs her prey with her feet. Moreover, the spiny soles on her feet help Her to keep a firm grip on the slippery Fish. However if Osprey grabs a particularly large Fish, She stands a chance of drowning since She cannot let go easily.

People around the world respect Osprey and her mythic powers. The Pueblo People of North America named Her, “Water Eagle". Meanwhile other Native Americans regarded Osprey to have good powers since She often warned people of impending danger.

In Europe, Osprey was the “White Eagle” of heraldry, for She caught Fish through hypnosis. Instead of escaping, They would simply turn belly up in surrender. Because of this myth, people believed that killing an Osprey would cause the Mackerel and Herring to leave the nearby seas.

Anywhere Fish live, there you will find Osprey. With her special toe, She is highly adaptable. Wherever She dwells, Osprey employs her consummate skill at fishing. So good is Osprey that She is considered an honorary Eagle.

Osprey shows how having a skill allows you to adapt to life most anywhere. With a skill, you can thrive in any place of your choosing. Just do not become so overconfident that you grab a Fish large enough to drown you. “Choose wisely,” counsels Osprey.
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Copyright: Virginia Carper (2010), Animal Teachers, animalteachers @ gmail . com

The Elements and Animals: Birds and Insects (3)

BIRDS

Hawk (Red-tailed): Air or Spirit

Air: A member of the Buteo family of “Soaring Hawks”, Red-Tailed Hawk is seen perched on treetops or utility poles. Spotting prey, she dives to grasp the animal in her talons. Hunting small mammals, Red-Tailed Hawk searches for voles, her favorite food. Although Red-Tailed Hawk prefers life in the uplands, she will live in cities. Wherever she lives, Red-Tailed Hawk builds her nest at the forest’s edge or in large trees surrounded by open areas.

Spirit: To the Pueblo Peoples, Red-Tailed Hawk was endowed with the same qualities as Eagle. Because she was a messenger of the Spirit, they called her “Red Eagle”. Through her flight, Red-Tailed Hawk communicated messages from the Great Mystery. In addition, she brought the rains and the waters necessary for life.

Hummingbird (Ruby-Throated): Fire

A native of the New World, Ruby-throated Hummingbird has enchanted all who have seen her. This tiny fast bird inspires wonder in those who watch her feed. Despite her small size, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird migrates from the eastern United States across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America. What makes this passage extraordinary is that Ruby-Throated Hummingbird does not eat on her journey. She stores up a layer of fat equal to half of her body weight.

The Aztecs of Mexico regarded Ruby-throated Hummingbird as a warrior. Despite Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s delicate appearance, she is a bold, quarrelsome bird who will readily attack any intruder that strays into her territory. With the frenzied beating of her wings, Ruby-throated Hummingbird will defend herself with her long beak.

Quail (Old World): Fire

Thought of as stout little birds, Old Word Quails are remarkable for their hardiness. When Old Word Quails are cold, they form star-shaped bevies (flocks) to receive warmth from each other. In addition, these short legged birds with round heads, will often post sentries to watch for intruders. Their plumage provides such excellent camouflage that rarely does anyone notice them until they call “wet-my-lips” or “whit-whit’tit”. (Because Old Word Quails’ calls are so distinctive, some cuckoo clocks have them sound on the quarter hours.)

Surprisingly, Old Word Quails are well-regarded in many cultures. For the Chinese, Old Word Quails were the Fire Phoenix of Spring and Summer. Among the Hindus, these birds represented the returning Sun. Furthermore, these unassuming birds were also the emblem of the Russian Tsars.

(Note: Old World Quails belong to the Pheasant Family, while New World Quails are in their own Family. They are only distantly related, and are not the same species.)

Raven: Fire or Water

Water: Raven is known for shape shifting, which Crow cannot do. More secretive than Crow, Raven is also associated with the night and dark magic. Since she is bigger and stronger than Crow, Raven’s magic is more profound. (Night and the moon are often associated with the element of water.)

Fire: Among early Christians, Raven was a messenger sent by God to feed the saints in the wilderness. Among the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, Raven was the Great Trickster. She created human beings, and brought fire to them. Meanwhile in China, Three-legged Raven lived in the sun, representing the sun’s three phases – dawn, noon, and dusk.

INSECTS

Dragonfly Family: Water or Air

Water: Dragonflies flit on the surface of small ponds and slow creeks. Their gossamer wings glisten in the dappled sunlight. Colorful and delicate-looking, Dragonflies inspire awe in everyone who sees them.

Air: Dragonflies were one of the first flying creatures to evolve, about three hundred million years ago. They have remained mostly unchanged during all this time. Although they are the most primitive of winged insects, Dragonflies are the most efficient fliers. Their wings move independently allowing the Dragonflies to stop in midair, change directions, and fly backwards. Very few birds can out-fly or hunt down Dragonflies.

Red-shouldered Hawk of North America

Identifying a Red-shouldered Hawk takes practiced observation. My first sighting of one was confirmed by a troop of Boy Scouts, at Sky Meadows at Shenandoah Virginia. The “red shoulders” of this hawk is actually the russet coloring on his wrists. Similar to Red-tailed Hawk in coloring, Red-shouldered Hawk has a longer tail. A compact flyer, his flying silhouette is also trim. These subtle characteristics help to differentiate Red-shouldered Hawk from Red-tailed Hawk.

A quiet elusive bird, Red-shouldered Hawk spends his time perched on a low tree branch, carefully scanning the ground for prey. Living near rivers and streams, Red-shouldered Hawk prefers pouncing on insects, frogs, mice, and snakes to hunting other birds. Unlike other hawks, he hunts from his tree branch.

However, during the spring, Red-shouldered Hawk makes his presence known to all. Crying “Keeah!” he soars the sky, filled with the exuberance of the coming spring. He is celebrating winter being finally over. Calling to his far-off mate, he cries, “Come join me! This is still *our* territory!” Together, the two soar in their dance, making broad circles in the sky.

After mating, the two hawks construct a stick nest in their tree. Often they will reclaim last year’s nest with a bit of greenery like a sprig of violets. Barred Owl, the nocturnal counterpoint to Red-shouldered Hawk, shares the same territory. Often if the hawk’s nest lies unclaimed, the owl will take it.

To steal his food, American Crows will mob Red-shouldered Hawk. But then, he pursues them for their food. However when Great Horned Owl, ruler of the forest, appears, then the crows and hawk will team up to fight off this owl.

Found in Eastern North America, Red-shouldered Hawk, for some inexplicable reason, has a colony in California. In addition, scientists believe that Ridgeway’s Hawk on Hispaniola was a subspecies of Red-shouldered Hawk that filled the niche of Board-winged Hawk. Outside of Jamaica, Hispaniola is the only island in the Caribbean that lacks a population of Broad-winged Hawks. (However, because of severe habitat destruction, Ridgeway’s Hawk is gravely endangered.)

What is baffling to naturalists is why Red-shouldered Hawk’s numbers are declining in the East. Habit destruction is offered as one reason, but hawks in old-growth forests are also becoming scarcer. Perhaps the decline has to do with toxic chemicals in their environment.

Meanwhile, Red-shouldered Hawk in California happily thrives nesting among the eucalyptus trees. Perhaps he is telling us to take up our courage and leave our comfortable homes. Instead of remaining where we are, we should go and embrace the new. Leave the past behind and create our own future, for if we do not leave, we will be poisoned. Red-shouldered Hawk will guide us to our new life if we let him.

Sources:

Dunne, Pete, “The Wind Masters”, Houghton Miffin Co, Boston, 1995.

Johnsgard, Paul A, “Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America”, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1990.

Scott, Sir Peter, ed., “The World Atlas of Birds”, Gramercy Books, New York, 2006.

Snyder, Noel and Helen, “Raptors of North America”, Voyageur Press, St. Paul, MN, 2006.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

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