We have a Red Tailed Hawk that frequents our property that is
exceptionally vocal. Along with the usual national geographic
"SCREEEEEE" that is issued whenever I come within 50 yards of it, or any
other Red Tailed is visible anywhere, there is a second vocalization.
For lack of a better description, it is a series of "PEENT"s, sometimes
one syllable, sometimes two (PEE-EENT). These calls are much less
frequent than say a Red Shouldered, maybe one every 1.5 - 2 seconds, and
sometimes sound almost like a Bald Eagle. I have not been able to
identify any particular catalyst for this second call type. I have often
heard this bird without making visual contact for a while, if at  all,
but have never seen it without hearing it. There is a second, less
frequent Red Tailed that the first one seems to let hang around, smaller
and much darker coloration. Other Red Taileds are not only given a
tongue lashing, but usually the bums rush as well. This consists of
everything from landing right next to intruders and forcing them off a
perch, to chasing flying birds at a distance of only a few feet to even
shadowing the high-overhead passers-bye, albeit at tree top level, until
they have cleared our air space. 

 

As we are only recently ex-suburban apartment dwellers, this is the
first chance I have had to really watch this sort of behaviour with a
single individual over a period of time. I am hoping this is
territorial/mating type behaviour, and I have the possibility of a nest
and some young to look forward to. Then again, this might just be a very
cranky bird. Any thoughts on this would be greatly welcomed.

 

Raymond E. Wickline

DC At work

Middletown MD at home