Names can be quite deceiving and in the case of birds, it’s actually tough to differentiate when the name is misleading. The same problem we face with hawks of North America.
When you say Chicken Hawk, it can actually mean three other species of hawks instead of just one. So, when you ask the difference between chicken Hawk vs. Red-Tailed Hawk, you can be implying two other species because Red-Tailed Hawk is a type of Chicken Hawk.
To be clear, if you’re confused about a Red-Tailed Hawk and a Chicken Hawk, just know that all Red-Tailed Hawks are Chicken Hawks, but all Chicken Hawks are NOT Red-Tailed Hawks. Still confused?
Let’s look at their differences to clear up any confusion!
Is a Chicken Hawk and a Red-Tailed Hawk the Same Thing?
No, a Red-Tailed Hawk and a Chicken Hawk aren’t the same thing. There are a few differences here and there.
For example, Chicken Hawks include three species of hawks (Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, and red-tailed Hawk) in the United States that hunt or prey on small rodents and critters. So, clearly, it’s just a general term when you want to talk about all three of these species.
On the other hand, a Red-Tailed Hawk is one type of Chicken Hawk that preys on small rodents and mammals and very rarely on chickens. They have red tail feathers, unlike the other Chicken Hawks.
Why is a Red-tailed Hawk Called a Chicken Hawk?
Chicken Hawks aren’t chickens with hawk-like features; that would be just hilarious and scary at the same time. Three hawk species are cumulatively known as Chicken Hawks because of their diet.
A Red-Tailed Hawk’s diet usually includes small rodents like rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and even small mammals. With a varied diet, they also sometimes like the taste of chicken, so they will hunt them. This is how these hawk species and the other two species got their name, “Chicken Hawks.” Interesting, right?
However, the fun part is that these species of hawks rarely hunt and become a threat to chickens. Now you know why it’s called a Chicken Hawk.
Will Red-Tailed Hawks Eat Chickens?
Do you know what a Red-Tailed Hawk’s meal looks like? Mammals and small rodents are usually their top food source as they provide the required nutrients and meat.
We often see these hawks hunting mice, rabbits, voles, squirrels, rabbits, hares, snakes, lizards, etc. They also go after small birds like blackbirds, starlings, pheasants, and bobwhites.
But when Red-Tailed Hawks can’t find a suitable food source nearby, they will catch small chicks and standard-sized chickens for a good meal. Sometimes, they even attack backyard chickens just to get a taste of something different. So, obviously, these birds of prey will eat chickens if they want!
Will Cooper’s Hawks Eat Chickens?
Let’s talk about another hawk species, that’s also known as Chicken Hawk. Cooper’s Hawks are medium-sized true hawks that can be found in North America. Did you know they are also called Quail Hawks because they hunt small birds like Quails?
Being medium-sized hawks, Cooper’s Hawks don’t have much opportunity to hunt chickens because chickens are harder for them to hunt and lift up. So, they stick to hunting small reptiles, mammals, and small and medium-sized birds.
Although most of their diet is fulfilled with the animals they usually hunt, it’s not impossible for them to hunt chickens once in a while. However, this hawk species are less of a threat to our chickens than the Red-Tailed Hawks.
Will Sharp-Shinned Hawks Eat Chickens?
In the Chicken Hawks’ group, there’s also the Sharp-Shinned Hawk species that are mostly found in Canada and the United States. These hawk species are small compared to the other Chicken Hawk species.
However, you will be surprised to know about their diet and food sources. These small hawks are avid hunters, and most of their diet includes other small birds like finches, tits, sparrows, thrushes, wood warblers, icterids, and nuthatches.
Aside from these, Sharp-Shinned Hawks will hunt any prey that ranges from 4.4 gm to 577 gm in weight, like Anna’s Hummingbird and Ruffed Grouse. So, a chicken can’t be excluded from its diet as these birds of prey can also hunt it if they want to eat it.
What Hawk is Bigger than a Red-Tail?
A Red-Tailed Hawk is the biggest species in the Buteo genus, which can grow from 18 inches to 26 inches. Now, what can be bigger than this giant bird of prey?
Well, there is the Ferruginous Hawk from the same genus that can grow up to 25 inches in size. In both cases, the females are quite larger than their male counterparts.
A Ferruginous Hawk lives in North America’s prairie lands, grasslands, and shrub-filled countrysides. No other hawks except for the Red-Tailed Hawk and larger owls, like the Great Horned Owls, can out-match this giant bird.
However, unlike the Red-Tailed Hawks, these birds of prey have a less varied diet, which only consists of birds, reptiles, and mammals; no chickens by the way!
Wait! There’s one more hawk that’s close in size to a Red-Tailed Hawk. It’s the Rough-Legged Hawk from the Buteo genus. These majestic birds are 20 inches to 24 inches in size, which is a bit smaller than the Red-Tails, but that doesn’t hold them back.
Rough-legged hawks’ diet consists of small birds and mammals. They’re even brave enough to hunt backyard chicken flocks if they’re short on food sources.
However, both the Rough-Legged Hawks and the Ferruginous Hawks aren’t a direct threat to our chicks or chickens.
Which Other Birds Predate Backyard Chickens?
Hawks aren’t the only birds of prey that go after chickens; there are also large eagles and owls that won’t let go of a perfect opportunity to hunt chickens.
For example, eagles are from the Accipitridae family, and they can be even bigger than Chicken Hawks. However, eagles usually love hunting wild prey, and their predatory instincts work like that. But also, being opportunistic birds, they will hunt free-roaming backyard chickens.
Moreover, larger owl species, like the Great Horned Owl, are known to catch chickens at night if they find them unprotected. So, you better not leave your chickies alone!
Is an Osprey a Chicken Hawk?
Have you heard of the sea hawk, or the fish eagle or hawk? Well, Osprey is known to have these names. These birds of prey belong to the Falco or Buteo genera and are rather large in size.
However, Ospreys love hunting fish more than any other animals. But these are also opportunistic birds of prey, and they may catch small chickens sometimes.
How to Protect Chickens From ‘Chicken Hawks’ & Other Birds of Prey
Keeping our sweet chickens safe is important to us, but we shouldn’t also forget that hawks and other predatory birds are endangered and protected species of wildlife. We shouldn’t harm them in any way just to protect our flock.
So, let’s look into ways we can protect our feathery friends without hurting the majestic birds of prey.
- Don’t let your chickens roam around freely. Use wire in your backyard to keep your chickens safe.
- You need to have a chicken coop for your chickens. Also, make sure to never put the food or water outside as it attracts rodents like rats and squirrels. And we all know these are the primary food sources of many hawks.
- Try planting more shrubs and large trees around your garden. It will keep your hens sheltered.
- Adding guard dogs, geese, or roosters in your backyard gives you extra protection from the birds of prey.
Conclusion
Now you know all about Chicken Hawks and Red-Tailed Hawks differences. If someone asks you when they see one, you can point out this amazing fact about these majestic birds.
We should all remember that these predatory birds are protected under many laws because many are endangered.
So, we shouldn’t do anything to kill or hurt them because if you love one animal, you should care for others too!
