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Re: Red-tail Scavenger

From:

Marcia Watson

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Date:

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 10:09:49 -0500

Jason,

I have seen Red-taileds joining vultures at a roadkill, even when there is
no snowcover.  I've seen this behavior often enough that I always take a
close  look at a group of vultures to check for any hawks.  And I got my
life bird Golden Eagle cruising in a thermal amidst a kettle of vultures. 

Marcia
________________________
Marcia Watson
Millers Island, MD


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of jgbrc
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 9:19 AM
To: 
Subject: Red-tail Scavanger

Hi Everyone,
 
I went to Blue Mash to look for the Rough-legged Hawk, but had no luck. 
Interestingly, on Zion road I saw a couple of large birds on the side of the
road that turned out to be Turkey Vultures eating Deer road kill.  As I
slowed dow to take a look at these fine birds, I was surprised (actually
kind of shocked) to see a Red-tailed Hawk with them sitting right on top of
the carcas eating big chunks of Venison.
 
Has anyone else seen this sort of behavior?  Makes sense since a lot of
their rodent prey is under a tough six inches of hard, icey snow.
 
Jason Berry
Washington, DC