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Patricia Fisher | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Red tailed hawks, Whistle and they will come.................. tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Red tailed hawks, Whistle and they will come..................




I am a wildlife rehabber and live on 3 acres in the country. Across the road from me there is a pair of red tailed hawks that share my part of the world. About 12 years ago we put a short pole with flat platform on top in the middle of my prairie. I stated by putting road kill rabbits and squirrels on the platform and always whistled three times. It took a while for the pair of wild red tails to figure out the whistle meant food for free. Actually it did not really take all that long, they are very smart beings. This began a "perk" in the wildlife business. These birds were never in rehab, they just learned the whistle meant a free meal. You learn a lot about wild things if you take the time to watch. Below are some of the photos over the years of these two wonderful beings I share my life with.



Photos by fisher ©













Platform in front prairie.
Platform in front prairie.		 Red tails in winter.
Red tails in winter.		 Upon hearing the whistle
Upon hearing the whistle		 35 foot pole in prairie.
35 foot pole in prairie.
The launch
The launch		 The male red tail
The male red tail		 Male leaving the food lot.
Male leaving the food lot.		 Touch and go
Touch and go
Female
Female		 Hiding from the bluejay
Hiding from the bluejay		 Blue jay or not that rabbit is mine.
Blue jay or not that rabbit is mine.		 The long wait
The long wait
Waiting on...............
Waiting on...............		 Now it is the crows to deal with.
Now it is the crows to deal with.		 Direct shot
Direct shot		 WInter meal
WInter meal
A new perch
A new perch 		Checking in to see what the meal of the day is.
Checking in to see what the meal of the day is.		 Very hungry bird
Very hungry bird		 Closer to house.
Closer to house.
This is Ms Harvey, the great horned owl
This is Ms Harvey, the great horned owl		 Don't take my food.
Don't take my food.		 Looking for a live free meal
Looking for a live free meal		 Right or left footed?
Right or left footed?
Missed..........or dropped.
Missed..........or dropped.		 g1/90/560490/3/105787883.yRvmir2v.jpg One perfect red tailed hawk.
One perfect red tailed hawk.		 Pick one
Pick one
Take it to go.
Take it to go.		 The nest
The nest		 She still waits for me.
She still waits for me.

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Sid Evans 01-Mar-2015 22:57
Ad I"m so glad to see this - thought I was the only one feeding a Red Tailed hawk. Mine gets cut up chicken hearts & gizzards and also chicken thighs - dark meat. (in prior years I put out hamburger but I switched to chicken because this bird prefers to eat other birds) Pigeons are best (but he or she has to catch those under the seed feeders). Nice to know yours waits for you - sitting in a strategically visible spot - I thought mine was doing that but didn't really believe it - now I do. Mine used to eat right from the platform - but this year is taking the food away. Perhaps growing up. Also, I generally only get visits in the winter when there is not much food anywhere else. Anyway. Great pictures. Thanks for this site.
Dennis Martel 01-Aug-2014 02:07
I have recently rescued an immature red tail ..It had been seen by neighbors on the ground 4 days before I had seen him fearing he may become coyote bait I decided to take care ...all I had on hand was hotdogs ...in no time he was eating from my hand , knowing the nutritional value of a hotdog I immediately went to the butcher and purchased some fresh beef tenderloin ...and well he loved it knowing he possibly had not eaten in awhile I was careful not to feed too much . My landlord bought some frozen mice from the pet shop , I warmed it and used needle nose pliers to rip it into small pieces I literally had to shove it down his throat he did not care for it at all , but as soon as he sees the beef his cry changes to a soft cry and obviously sees exactly what i have and loves it at over 20$ a pound it is no wonder ..It is truly an intelligent bird . Tomorrow we will try some juicy worms and beetles I am hoping I have not spoiled him and he has become a beef hawk !I commend anyone who goes above and beyond to save any species in need !
Guest 22-Sep-2013 01:53
What kind of whistle do you have?
Patricia Fisher10-Feb-2012 02:18
I have no idea where to get a wooden whistle.

thanks for looking at the "lady" that I share my land with.
jychamberland15-Nov-2008 23:29
very beautiful serie.
Guest 12-Nov-2008 14:07
Pat, I don't know anything about getting a book to print but I do know that you have plenty of material for some good ones. God bless you for caring for His creatures. Pat V.Z.
Guest 11-Nov-2008 18:46
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story! You have a wonderful spiritual connection to nature in your experiences with these raptors.---Mary Strasser
Guest 11-Nov-2008 04:43
Pat,
This is a truly amazing story. It goes to show that these birds are intelligent. Just one of many of Gods creatures.
tammie11-Nov-2008 03:10
Great story, cool that you shared it.
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