Now I've seen everything

18 years ago

I was looking at a hawk sitting in a big maple tree in my backyard yesterday, when I saw a squirrel scamper up the tree, walk out on the limb to the hawk, and sniff it. Then it walked back to the trunk, changed it's mind, and went out and sat RIGHT BESIDE the hawk for several minutes. We're talking just an inch or two between them! The hawk looked at him for a second or so, then just looked the other way the rest of the time. What was almost as weird was that the whole backyard was filled with birds and squirrels, just going about their daily activities, ignoring the fact that there was a huge hawk sitting right in plain view. (Usually, if there's a hawk in that tree, all the birds and squirrels disappear until he leaves.) Has anyone ever heard of such behavior?

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Comments (6)

User
18 years ago
If the tales are true you should have a really bad storm in a day or so. Birds and animals seem to sense weather changes and will allow their natural foes to eat in peace where normally they would attack.

I hope I am wrong about the really bad weather for you.
kelp
Original Author
18 years ago
Huh-- you're absolutely correct. Sunday night we had an awful storm: Torrential downpours (all the snow was gone when I woke up) and really hard wind. Yea, I know this story is hard to believe. I tried to get my youngest to go look, but she said she couldn't see, as she hadn't put in her contacts yet. By the time I had the idea to go get the camera, it was all over.
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User
18 years ago
I kicked myself after posting because it really is hard to believe unless you have seen birds and other animals interact with each other. I first noticed this type of activity when I looked on a tree by one of my bird feeders and saw dove, dove, small hawk, dove. A What? reaction set in.

Living in the part of the midwest I do the most common thing you see is birds suddenly diving for the bushes. On a clear day you will see at least two hawks hunting. On a overcast or rainy day you need to take shelter because you will have a heavy rainstorm with hail or very high wind with driving rain.

Watching wildlife and how they interact really helps you learn about peoples interactions.

If anyone notices or has additional things that they have heard of I for one would be happy to hear of them.
ghoghunter
18 years ago
Well I saw the same exact thing happen in my backyard. The hawk was sitting on a branch and the squirrel went running up to him almost like he was trying to startle the hawk into flying away. The regular birds and squirrels were not at the feeder because they were aware the hawk was there and I think the squirrel was trying to get him to leave!!! I couldn't believe it either but I saw it myself!
jmc7104
18 years ago

I didn't believe this when I saw it also. jim
marys1000
18 years ago
I've seen squirrels try to drive off hawks too.

this
will allow their natural foes to eat in peace where normally they would attack

does not make sense for the hawk - who is now totally hungry going into a storm with no extra fat to protect him.