Hawk

Description

Magnificent birds of prey, hawks dominate the sky with their astonishing physical capabilities. Hawks have acute eyesight and expert acrobatic flying skills, which unfortunately brings them into conflict with small farm animals and domestic pets. A federally protected species, hawks require cautious removal supported by legal authorization. Contacting experts for hawk removal ensures their eradication is carried out legally and humanely.

Appearance

Hawks are characterized by their fierce-looking eyes, sharp, curved beaks, and razor-sharp talons, which aid in the capture of prey. Their coloration varies but feathers are usually some combination of black, white, and brown. Specific markings help distinguish between species. Red-tailed hawks, for example, have red markings on their tails. The standard wingspan for red-tailed hawks is about 45 inches (114 cm). Female red-tailed hawks usually weigh more than males, with the average adult weighing close to 4 pounds (about 2 kg).

Habitat

Common in North America, red-tailed hawks inhabit many diverse habitats. Although hawks prefer vast, open spaces of land, they can adapt to almost any environment, including deserts, mountain ranges, tundra, and tropical rainforests. Nests are often found in elevated spaces far from grounded predators.

Entry

Are hawks known to enter homes or yards?
Hawks encroach on land where food is readily available. For instance, hawk sightings increase where free range chickens are present, as such a setup makes it easy for the predator to target the poultry as food. Although not unheard of, it is extremely rare for hawks to gain entry into buildings.

Damage

Do hawks harm people or property?
The predatory nature of the bird causes the bulk of hawk damage. They threaten livestock and small pets like mice and birds. Occasionally, hawks build nests too close to humans, which results in overprotective and aggressive actions like swooping at passersby. Attacks may result in scratches and cuts that require medical attention.

Control and Safety

As they can cause injury with their sharp talons, hawk populations must be controlled. The main way to reduce hawk and human interaction is to limit their access to food sources. Keep pets safe by monitoring them when they go outside. Free-roaming livestock can be protected with fencing and netting. Removing possible nesting and roosting locations also helps to keep the predators at bay.

Trapping and Removal

Trapping hawks is not advisable for untrained persons as special permits are required. Critter Control technicians are qualified to deal with populations of the pest. They will set up unique control plans and execute humane integrated pest management approaches to protect properties from hawk activity.