March 17, 2024
It’s been a few days now, and the scene continues to replay over and over in my mind’s eye. Somehow my sketch of these two birds …. one the victor, the other the victim ….. came easily and quickly, much like the time it took for the event to unfold.
Returning to our house after photographing snow scenes created by an overnight winter storm, I paused at the door, turning to admire the beautiful white landscape. Faster than an eye blink and just as quiet, a sharp-shinned hawk soared by at top speed, obviously intent on capturing one of our feeder birds!
I’ve seen this small hawk fly by a few times over the past several weeks, but the smaller juncos, finches and titmice always managed to duck for cover in the nick of time, foiling the “sharpy’s” chances of a meal. But the hawk, perhaps better skilled in his timing and approach after some practice runs, wasn’t about to miss on this day.
The spotted towhee must’ve been so focused on scratching for buried seeds that all obvious warning calls eluded him. Out in the open eating seed under one of our feeders, the towhee must’ve been too hard to resist for the sharp-shinned hawk, and fell victim to the expert predator.
Having camera already in hand, I was able to take a half dozen photos after the sharpy snatched the towhee with his long piercing talons, pinning him securely to our brick patio. As sad as it was to watch the towhee struggle against the hawk’s sure grip, it was all over for the towhee in 30-45 seconds. Then as fast as the sharp-shinned hawk had attacked, he regripped the lifeless towhee, lifting him effortlessly and flew away into the trees.
The circle of life.
“You can’t imagine anything like nature as we know it without predators.”
-Dale Jamieson
“Every living creature, big or small, plays such an important role in our ecosystem.”
-Mufasa’s memorable speech to Simba (from The Lion King)
a curious nature 
Wow, Barb, witnessing the power of nature and the circle of life! It’s a sad day for the Towhee, but the hawk needs to eat. It’s bittersweet, for sure. I’ve seen a Cooper’s Hawk a few times in our backyard, obviously attracted to the suet feeder, but haven’t witnessed any attacks. One day, a downy woodpecker & chickadee sat in the same tree right outside our kitchen window, absolutely perfectly still and I was suspicious that a hawk was around, but I couldn’t see one. I didn’t want to go outside to check because then the 2 little birds would feel compelled to fly away from me, and perhaps into the clutches of the hawk. So, I waited for several minutes (4 or 5) and they started moving again. Such an interesting defense mechanism to witness. Oh, the dilemmas of predator-prey! Thanks for sharing your story!
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Thanks so much, Karen! Your Cooper’s hawk sightings are so exciting. And what interesting downy and chickadee behaviors. I’ve read that birds of different species recognize each other’s alarm calls, and that an alarm call for a winged predator is different than one for a cat or person, or etc. etc. actually, I may have learned that from David Lucas! Fascinating stuff! Hope you’re still basking in Florida sunshine!
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Interesting about the different alarm calls – fascinating and it makes sense. We are back home, but I think we brought some Florida sunshine along with us — it’s 70’s, clear sky and perfectly sunny! What a treat! BTW — I did the Cornell workshop video on comic drawing birds and it was so enjoyable, and very helpful in getting to know and practice bird anatomy! It’s helping me with my Birds of Florida pages that I’m working on right now. Thanks!
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Thanks for the follow up Karen! So happy you’re enjoying sun. As you flew over, you must’ve dropped off a few sunbeams our way. It was just enough to lift our spirits. I’ll try to patiently await more sunshine and warmer days. Can’t wait to see your Florida birds pages. I knew you’d enjoy the Cornell course! Welcome home!
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The wild has its beauty and its harsh reality. A moving post, Barb and of course your artwork is spectacular.
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Thank you so much, Michele! Witnessing one of my favorite feeder birds caught in the struggle of life and death was shocking. But what a spectacular hawk who will go on to hunt another day.
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Mixed emotions for sure!
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