Kip’s Comments - December 31, 2023
Finish the Job
For many minutes today I watched this bird of prey. Everything about the species says sharp-shinned hawk, but the tail is confusing. Even my app suggests this is a sharp-shinned hawk.
Sharp-shinned Hawk - Image 860955
Whatever it was, this bird was hunting other birds. As I watched it the bird spotted a starling in brush along the river. In maybe a second or two the hawk was chasing the starling. Both hit the front of my truck and dropped below the front bumper. I waited a minute or more for either of the birds to fly up, but nothing happened, so I got out of the truck. The hawk promptly carried the starling to brush a few yards away. The starling was flopping and calling like I had never heard before.
Sharp-shinned Hawk - Image 860959
I suppose I am responsible, but when I moved to get back into my truck the hawk released the starling and flew off. The starling moved around in the brush but did not fly. I do not know if it was temporarily stunned or permanently damaged. Regardless, the hawk would have had an easy meal had it just came back to finish the job.
European Starling that Escaped Hawk - Image 861077
On another note… as 2023 comes to a close, I have put together a video of my favorite images. View the video at this link.
