Raptor in the Yard
The little guy in the photo below is, according to ace Midland naturalist Burr Williams, a Sharpshinned Hawk. He (the hawk, not Burr) has appeared in my backyard a couple of times in the past few weeks, and both times he's been busy dismantling the carcass of one of the countless dove which inhabit our neighborhood. You can see the dove detritus scattered about him in the photo (and I apologize for the lack of clarity; my camera's anemic 3x zoom would barely reach through the glass door, and the subject is much too skittish to get any closer).
The little hawk is an entertaining character, in a gruesome way. He clamps both claws on the carcass, grabs a tasty bit in his beak and pulls with all his might. His efforts sometimes result in both feet and carcass coming off the ground.
Burr, who is the executive director of the Sibley Nature Center and also a blogger, describes this particular hawk thusly:
In my experience, the term "dumb" could apply to every member of the dove population. How else would you describe the behavior of an animal who often roosts in the middle of a residential street? Fortunately for them, the dove-to-hawk ratio around here is approximately 1 billion-to-one.
Burr left his comment on a copy of this photo that I uploaded to the Sibley Center's image gallery, which is a great resource for those living in this area who want to either show off their nature photography skills, or who need some help identifying the subjects of those skills.
I don't know but that would be a great name for a band, wouldn't it?
Posted by: Eric at February 2, 2006 10:41 AMThey could open for the Fallen Flamingos. ;-) There's a Christian theme there...perhaps Britney would sing for us.
Posted by: Gwynne at February 2, 2006 11:05 AMGwynne, you of all people should realize that only Prince can relate to the plight of doves, the way they cry and all. (And I think he's Assembly of God, isn't he?)
Posted by: Eric at February 2, 2006 11:11 AMHoo boy.
You used the word "carcåss" in a post. Now you'll have their fan base visiting the site, Eric.
"How else would you describe the behavior of an animal who often roosts in the middle of a residential street?"
"Sitting ducks"? ;-)
Posted by: Mr. Freen at February 2, 2006 11:23 AMGreat picture, Eric! We have a Cooper's hawk that runs our neighborhood-she's landed a few times on our deck and fence. There is a field behind our house and we often watch her flying low out there hunting for rodents. It's beautiful to watch her swooping about. I was lucky enough to hear her calling a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful birds!
Posted by: Jennifer at February 2, 2006 11:25 AMMr. Freen, "sitting duck" is a good description. Most of the time they'll fly out of the way just before it's too late...but not always. More gene pool optimization.
Jennifer, a hawk's call is one of the best things about being around those birds. We sometimes hear one while we're out on a bike ride. I always wonder if the bunnies and ground squirrels are hitting the deck all around us when they hear it.
Hey, how come I didn't know about your blog until now? You are so blogrolled! ;-)
Posted by: Eric at February 2, 2006 11:38 AMAh, yes, I should realize, but I didn't...very funny. Yes, Prince (not to be confused with the Prince of Peace) should preside over the Dove Detritus. Just let me know when and where they will be performing, so I can be very, very far away.
Posted by: Gwynne at February 2, 2006 12:46 PMHaving "interpreted" the photo before reading the text, let me just say....uh....I'm glad that wasn't Abbye.
Posted by: Natalie at February 2, 2006 03:05 PMI'm glad that wasn't Abbye.
That may explain why she's afraid to go out in the backyard.
Posted by: Eric at February 2, 2006 07:00 PMSend your hawk over here to Bedford, ASAP. We've got some kind of dumb birds roosting in our trees that spew blackberry poop all over the patio, occasionally striking the windows, too.
It's so gross.
Posted by: julie at February 3, 2006 06:22 AMJulie, that sounds like a good opportunity for Wallace to hone his window-washing skillz. (That, or his pellet gun marksmanship.)
Posted by: Eric at February 3, 2006 08:21 AMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Random Thursday: The Abbreviated Tuesday Political Edition
More rattler than meets the eye
Poop happens. And then disappears.
How the West was Won
Beware of Vampire Dog
Tieing? There's no tieing in gymnastics!
NBC Bungles Web Video
Random Thursday: The Monday Olympics Edition
On Holiday
Random Thursday
Chair Play
Book Review: "The Road"
Education is paramount. Well, next to jet skiing.
Warbirds, Old and New
The Neighborhood:
West Texas Blogs:
[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
The Business:
The Church:
The World:
I wonder how many hits you'll get based on the key words "dove detritus?"
Posted by: Gwynne at February 2, 2006 10:05 AM