For other uses, see hawk (disambiguation) and hawks (disambiguation).
Hawk is a common name for some birds of prey, widely distributed and varying greatly in size.
- In Australia and Africa hawks include some of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. These are mainly woodland birds with long tails and high visual acuity, hunting by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.
- In North America (and other areas) the term includes falcons and small to medium-sized members of the Accipitridae—the family which includes the "true hawks" as well as eagles, kites, harriers and buzzards.
Owls are members of the order Strigiformes and are not hawks.
Immature Northern Goshawk with fresh kill
Hawk sighted in Toronto in front of the Fields Institute.
The common names of some birds include the term "hawk", reflecting traditional usage rather than taxonomy, such as referring to an Osprey as a "fish hawk" or the Buteo species B. jamaicensis as a Red-tailed Hawk.
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Contents
- 1 Characteristics
- 1.1 Intelligence
- 1.2 Eyesight
- 2 Description
- 3 Migration
- 4 Habitat
- 5 Behavior
- 6 Reproduction
- 7 Diet
- 8 Metaphorical use
- 9 References
- 10 External links
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Characteristics
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This section requires expansion. (September 2012) |
Intelligence
In February 2005, the Canadian ornithologist Louis Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian "IQ" in terms of their innovation in feeding habits.[1] Hawks were named among the most intelligent birds based on his scale.
Eyesight
Hawks are widely reputed to have visual acuity several times that of a normal human being. This is due to the many photoreceptors in the retina (up to 1,000,000 per square mm for Buteo, against 200,000 for humans), an exceptional number of nerves connecting these receptors to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual field.[2][3]
Description
Hawks have always been known to have sharp vision and very able and adequate hunters[4]. Within the hawk species, the female is actually larger than the male. This is known as sexual dimorphism. Some studies say that sexual dimorphism is caused by the animal's diet[5].
Migration
Like most birds, the hawk migrates in the fall and the spring seasons. Different types of hawks choose separate times in both of the seasons to migrate north or south. The entire autumn migrating season extends all the way from August to half way through December. It has been studied that there are longer migration distances then others. The long-distance travelers tend to begin in early autumn while the short distance travelers start much later. In conclusion, the longer the distance the earlier the bird begins its journey. There have also been a few studies on the relevance of the speed and efficiency of the bird's migration[6]. It is better for a hawk to arrive at its destination as early as possible. This is because the first bird to a new area has the first pick of mates, living area, food, and much more necessities for survival. The more fat a bird has when it starts it's migration, the better chance it has of making the trip safely. Kerlinger states that studies have shown that a bird has more body fat when it begins it's migration, before it leaves, then when it is finished with its travels and has arrived at its destination[7].
One of the most important part of the hawk's migration is the flight direction because the direction or path the bird chooses to take could greatly affect it's migration. The force of wind is a large variable because it could either throw the bird off course or push it in the right direction, depending on the direction of the wind[7]. To ensure a safer journey, a hawk tries to avoid any large bodies of water in the spring and fall by detouring around a lake or flying along a boarder[8].
Habitat
The Red-Tailed Hawk is the most popular hawk in North America. Previous observations have indicted that while hawks can easily mold to any surrounding, the birds prefer a habitat that is open. Hawks usually like to habitat in places like deserts and fields, probably to make it easier to find prey. Since these birds can easily live anywhere without too much problem, they can be found in mountainous plains and tropical, moist areas. Hawks have even been found in places such as Central America, the West Indies, and even Jamaica.
Behavior
Starting in the hawk's early life, the bird is fed by its parents until they leave the nest for good[4]. The young hawk, while still in its fledgling phase, will leave its nest as early as six week old. Once the bird is older and begins its ancestral instinct to hunt. The hawk makes its kills of its prospective meals with its claws as appose to other predator birds such as the falcon. The falcon uses its claws to catch the prey but kills the small animal with its mouth instead of its claws, like the hawk[5]. The hawk's preferred time for hunting is usually just before night fall when the daylight begins to lessen[6]. Even though the hawk is known for being a violent predator, the bird is actually on the peaceful side[5]. The hawk's main way of transportation is flying. When it flies, the hawk flaps its wings rapidly, and then uses that momentum to glide smoothly and gracefully through the air[8].
The idea of flocking during migration has been closely analyzed, and there is a conclusion that it is a commutative tool used by birds and other animals to increase survival. It has become very clear to observers that a bird traveling in a flock has a greater chance of survival then if it made the journey alone. Another word used in the United States that has the same meaning of flock is "kettle"[7]
Reproduction
Hawks have been known for their mating season. The method this animal uses to reproduce is different from most. The male and female will fly together up in the air in a circular motion. Once the two get to a certain height, the male will dive toward the female and then they will raise back to the height again. The two birds will repeat this until finally the male latches onto the female and they begin to free-fall down to earth. Some species of hawks will keep the same mate their entire lives. In one year, a female hawk will lay about five eggs. Both the male and the female will cater and take care of the eggs for about a month until they hatch[4]. The male and the Female will also create their nest before the mating season and will improve it together during the nesting season. The two birds usually make their nest prior to mating. Hawks tend to be monogamous because they usually stay with the same mating partner their whole lives[8].
Diet
A hawk's diet is very predictable in that it includes a variety of smaller animals. Some of these small animals may include snakes, lizards, mice, rabbits, squirrels, and any other type of small game that is found on the ground[4]. More specifically, a Red-shouldered hawk likes to eat smaller birds like doves and bugs like grasshoppers and crickets for example[8].
Metaphorical use
Main article: War hawk
A war hawk, or simply hawk for short, is a term used in politics for someone favoring war in a debate over whether to go to war. War hawks are the opposite of war doves. The terms are derived through analogy with the birds of the same name: hawks are predators which attack and feed on other animals, whereas doves mostly eat seeds and fruit, and are historically a symbol of peace.
References
- ^ EurekAlert! Public News List:Bird IQ test takes flight - Dr. Lefebvre's AAAS presentation - Feeding innovations and forebrain size in birds (Monday, February 21, 2005)Part of the symposium: Mind, Brain and Behavior
- ^ "Hawks". Avianweb.com. http://www.avianweb.com/hawks.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ^ Kirschbaum, Kari. "Family Accipitridae". AnimalDiversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Accipitridae.html. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ^ a b c d "Red-Tailed Hawk". National Geographic. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/red-tailed-hawk/. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b c "Hawks-Characteristics and Behavior". Net Industries. http://science.jrank.org/pages/3229/Hawks-Characteristics-behavior.html. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b Heintzelman, Donald S. (1986). The Migration of Hawks. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 40.
- ^ a b c Kerlinger, Paul (1989). Flight Strategies of Migrating Hawks. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. pp. 57.
- ^ a b c d Heitzelman, Donald S. (2004). Hawks & Owls in Eastern North America. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. pp. 98.
External links
- Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) information, videos, photos and sounds at the Internet Bird Collection
