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Patch: An Urban Red-tailed Hawk (3 of 4)

10,000 Birds

I’ve seen young Red-tailed Hawk s who just don’t have the hang of it, counting on luck of good fortune to present them with a careless gopher or a rare easy meal. On this occasion Patch had secured a gopher and was dining on a streetlight. During the meal she was mobbed by several blackbirds and an American Robin.

Gophers 218
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Patch: An Urban Red-tailed Hawk (1 of 4)

10,000 Birds

The hawk was intent on finding gophers and I used its focus to my advantage and closed the distance gradually. It was thrilling to watch her navigate the park, deal with mobbing Brewer’s Blackbirds , Common Ravens , and Western Scrub Jays. But she landed right next to me, just four feet away. I was hooked!