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Has anyone ever seen red tailed hawks chasing an osprey?
We have had a pair of ospreys sampling the trout from our pond. Today, the male was just sitting in a tree making a choice, I suppose. Two red tailed hawks came from quite a distance (I saw them circling as flecks in the sky), and then took a dive at the osprey. The osprey went low then began a climb, with the hawks trying to climb faster. All three went way up until they were almost out of sight. Then the hawks gave up. It appeared the osprey was a better climber.
I can understand hawks trying to take away a fish... but the osprey was empty-handed. What do you think was going on?
The ospreys have only been around for about five days... could be the territorial hawks just noticed them today...?
1 Answer
- megatronLv 41 decade agoFavorite Answer
Most likely it was a pair protecting their territory. Possibly they might have a nest nearby. As with any raptors, red-tailed hawks won't tolerate other species of raptors, including their own in their territory. Although the osprey is not much of a threat since it feeds entirely on fish, the hawks are not taking any chances. If it was reverse, a pair of ospreys would have done the same thing. They will also protect their territory as well as their nest from other raptors, including other ospreys,red-tailed hawks, and even bald eagles.
