What a stunning bird, and cool win-win situation!

Zowie!! That's some rodent control you've got there. Beautiful bird!

It looks like an almost-adult hawk like this. I'm sure it has a name beyond "a brown and white hawk". {{gwi:1370966}}. Could that be it? The two pictures look a lot alike.

I don't wonder that this family keeps other birds away! Last year we had a great horned owl family nesting in our back yard, and we were able to harvest gallons and gallons of blueberries for the first time. No bird dared come in the vicinity!

...keeps *rodents* away. I'm sure it keeps other birds away, too, but that isn't what you commented on!

anney,

Yes, it is a red tailed hawk.

robeb

I love red-tailed hawks. When the adults soar overhead with the sun shining, their tails are breath-taking! I've never seen a juvenile though. Your picture is great.

You lucky dog!

How neat!! Thanks for sharing - that is a great pic.

Edie

He's gorgeous, robeb, you're are very fortunate to have this beauty as your neighbor. We have another kind of rodent eater in our neck of the woods hubby came in from the garden yesterday and said he saw a snake. heh, not quite as majestic as your fellow there.

Lucky you! And how blessed you are that she allows you to come close. She is beautiful.

The county hospital is a few blocks from here--it has a family of peregrin falcons living on its roof. Sometimes you can watch them hunting the skies. They are rightfully called raptors--scary to be the little bird they have chosen for their prey.

Here's what the adults look like

I do feel fortunate to have these guys around.

Last summer I saw 6 in the sky at one time, so I know there are at least that many here.

I went out to start my car one morning last week and 3 of them were perched on the fence, not more than a foot apart, all in the same position. I ran in to get my camera but wasn't quick enough.

Here's another shot of that same hawk:

Nice squirrel and rabbit control system you have there.

I wish I could persuade one to move in, but my quail would hate me.

Wow, I would love to have such a beautiful bird around! He, or she, looks so intelligent and highly evolved...probably much smarter than we realize. Those claws are amazing too. And 6 ~that is so lucky! I'd probably watch them all day...and get even less done, LOL! :-)

I love birding. What a beautiful picture. I'd take the hawk over the snake any day, terrified of snakes - even typing the word creeps me out.