Steps you can take to prevent Hawks at feeders

Hawks At Bird feeders

Hawk at Feeder

If you feed birds long enough, Hawks and Owls will likely show up. Generally staking out a perching site or hovering overhead.

You may or may not be aware of its presence, but the lack of birds at your feeder can be a good indication there is a predator nearby.

Has this happened to you? For several days you've been watching that Downy Woodpecker or Northern Cardinal coming to your feeder every day, at about the same time.

Suddenly you notice the little guy or gal stops visiting. Stop looking at your feeders and start looking at the tops of trees. You may have a hawk in the area. What can you do?

What Steps Can I Take?

First and foremost, federal and state laws prohibit the capture, killing, or possession of hawks and owls.

Raptors at bird feeding stations are a problem only when they perch nearby all day. You won't see any birds at your feeders. Rather than get upset, consider yourself fortunate to get a close-up look at these magnificent birds.

Take down your feeders for a few days. The hawks will look elsewhere for food. Your feeder birds will leave to find food, but they'll soon return once you begin filling your feeders again.

By this time the hawk will have located another hunting territory.

Place your feeders where there is ample natural protection. Evergreen shrubs and trees can provide an easy escape for the birds. If there is none available, consider planting a few varieties this spring.

Consider purchasing bird feeders with wire cages that allow songbirds in but keep the hawks out. Many different types are available and at reasonable cost.

Lastly, acknowledge that a few songbirds will be caught by Hawks at your feeders.

This is part of the cycle. Raptors play an important role in controlling the populations of mice, rats, and even songbirds.

Without them, unhealthy numbers of rats, mice, and birds would exists, causing more damage and overpopulating habitat.

Keep this in mind, songbirds are difficult for hawks to catch. Few are caught by birds of prey.

The presence of hawks at your feeders should in no way cause you to discontinue feeding birds. Just take a few simple steps to protect them and enjoy a season of bird feeding.