I noticed this well camouflaged Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tangle of crepe myrtle branches. Then I realized it was the flitting of the Mocking Bird that had caught my eye.
The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.
It was late afternoon and I thought maybe the hawk wasn’t in feeding mode, but then he dropped to the ground. He immediately mantled over some prey, covering it from other potential predators.
That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.
The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022
Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.
Good series 👍👍👍
Thanks, sorry you missed it!
Gorgeous Red-shoulder, great series, Ellen!
Thanks, Donna, it was neat to see him go after prey even if he was unsuccessful.
From the images on All About Birds, I’m thinking this is an immature Red-shouldered Hawk. Perhaps he missed his target because he is still learning to hunt?
Yes, it is most likely an immature. At least one pair of Red-shouldered Hawks raised young in this area over the summer.
It could be that inexperience played a part. He only had about an hour of daylight left so I hope he got more opportunities.