Fine Feathered Visitor

Reader Spencer sent us these photographs of a red-tailed hawk who frequents a terrace outside his Brooklyn apartment. And if we could fly, we would too, because that's some sweet view. These photographs are particularly well-timed, as the NY Times' FYI column explained that there are many hawks all around the city, though Manhattanites Pale Male and Lola are the most famous.

Some good hawk-related websites: PaleMale.com, Marie Winn's Central Park Nature News, and Urban Hawks.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on July 9, 2007 5:53 PM

Comments [rss]

guest

samson607,

I'd like to communicate with you offline. What you have described is not just cruel, but a federal offense. Contact me through my blog's comments. It's moderated so your note will stay private:

http://citybirder.blogspot.com

samson607

What spencer did not show in the picture is the sling shot he's been using to shoot walnuts at birds (hawks included) resting on his terrace. This guy is notorious in Park Slop and I'm pretty sure under investigation by the condo association.

guest

Great shot ! Last summer I was up in the Bronx by the park and saw seven hawks all circling & gliding about & schreeching. It was a pretty neat sight.

I also view photos on flickr web and last week someone posted great images of a big old racoon in Central Park.

guest

FYI - The hawk is not injured. Many birds (if not all) will, at some point, rest with one leg pulled up to their body. Some shorebirds will actually hop around on one leg.

guest

This might sound strange, but I know that hawk. I live in Park Slope and maintain a blog about our local hawks and nature in general around NYC. I have photographed him from my roof as he perched on top of your roof. He's a first year bird (as opposed to one that hatched this year) and has bonded with a large first year female who has very pale head feathering. I recently stumbled on the two of them hunting then catching (don't cry) a chipmunk. In the late spring the pair began to build a nest in the park, which is unusual for juvenile Red-tailed Hawks. They didn't do a very good job and, ultimately, gave up. Maybe next year they will have figured it out. Check out these two links:

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2007/06/baffling-red-tailed-hawk-experience.html

Here's a cropped shot of him sitting on your roof. It's a bit grainy because of the distance.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/773093334_4e7c6dbeb0_o.jpg

guest

I don't know how you can tell if the foot is injured from that image, birds often sit on only one foot, especially if they are resting. Maybe the bird is injured, i just don't know if the image is telling enough.

drtmuir

Saw a big young female red-tail one day near Park Circle (other end of park). Stunning sight. There are owls in the park, too.

Elderta

Apparently not, guest... would you like to enlighten us? Is it the foot? I don't know. And then who to report it to? The ASPCA? Hey, ASPCA, here's a picture in Brooklyn of an injured hawk... seriously, it might be better to point out these things specifically to lay people instead of using all the questions marks...