Hawks are beautiful and mighty creatures. A close relative of the eagle and vulture, they soar the high skies with similar grace and valor, and swoosh down to pick up prey they spotted from 10,000 feet above. It shouldn’t be a surprise that they’re just as experts in hunting as their relatives, because hawks are known for efficient and swift hunts.
Unlike their relatives though, hawks were allegedly “seen” to eat their prey while it’s still living. Let’s crack down and find out if that’s concrete or just conjecture, Do hawks eat their prey alive?
Do Hawks Eat Their Prey Alive?
I like to cut to the chase as soon as I can, so, do hawks eat their prey alive? The answer is yes, they do. However, it is a sometimes thing, so you might not see it happen every day.
Thanks to their powerful talons which help them hold their prey down with no way to escape, hawks will just take a whack at it and start eating their prey while they’re still trying to squirm and get out of its clutch. I know that doesn’t really paint a pretty picture, but that’s nature for you!
How Does A Hawk Kill Their Prey?
As already mentioned above, Hawks’ talons deserve more than just a brief mention. This is because their strong talons are the ultimate tool in their hunting endeavors. They will lunge at their prey with those, claw at them and even choke them, often breaking their necks in the process. Told you they were special.
The raptors can owe their hunting prowess to the design of their talons; they have four talons of which three face forward, and one face backward. This creates a good grip, with the backward talon acting like a human thumb.
Don’t forget how sharp they are. The tips of the claws are said to be as sharp as a dagger, allowing them to instantly kill small prey with just a stab.
After spotting their prey at heights of up to 15,000 feet, they’ll descend down with high speeds of 120 mph and with a killer precision, scoop them up in their talons. If they choose to go to town right then and there they won’t waste a single second, or they may also fly farther away with the prey in-grip, to feast on it in some other place.
Do Hawks Swallow Their Prey Whole?
Yes. Hawks will usually swallow their prey whole unless it’s too big for them. Then they’ll rip it into shreds and enjoy it in bits and pieces, making whatever is left of it a sizable chunk, and then swallow it whole in classic hawk fashion.
Baby hawks obviously can’t swallow a whole prey so they tear off the flesh or might even have mommy hawk tear it off for them.
How Fast Do Hawks Attack?
Briefly mentioned above, hawks reach an amazing speed of up to 120 mph, spotting prey from heights of 100 feet. They’ll dive down so fast that their prey might not even see it coming and in one clean swoop, they’ll hunt anything from small rodents, rabbits, birds, snakes, lizards and even fishes.
Although a rare occurrence, there have even been reports of hawks attacking small breeds of dogs and cats. So don’t underestimate the hawks’ ambition to just be coming for their usual diet, they like to switch it up.
Do Hawks Eat Dead Animals?
Yes, as birds of prey, hawks are carnivores and will scavenge on carrion.
They aren’t picky eaters. Like their relatives, eagles and vultures, hawks are opportunistic hunters and eaters, and dead animals or carrions are important for them to feast on. Particularly when their choice of prey isn’t roaming out and about, or harsh weather.
An excellent benefit of eating dead animals is that hawks and other predatory birds gain essential nutrients. By feasting on carrion, they’re getting the good stuff without having to work for it. So it’s a win-win!
Conclusion
I hope this amped up your knowledge on the hawk, a little bit. Hawks like eagles and vultures are absolutely mind-blowing birds, and they’re highly intelligent. I hope as inhabitants of the same earth we let them thrive in peace, without hunting them or feeling the need to keep them captive.
FAQs
Do Hawks Have Any Mating Rituals?
Yes they do. Both males and females will show off their flight skills by circulating, soaring up and down, diving headfirst and undulating. This aerial ritual represents how strong their bonds can be when together, after both parties are impressed, they come down to the ground and begin mating.
How Big Can Hawks Usually Be?
Hawks can get pretty big, male red-tailed hawks grow anywhere from 45 to 60 cm. Females are slightly bigger, ranging from 45 to 65 cm. Their wingspans are also marvelous, going from 3 feet to almost 5 feet for the largest wingspan recorded on a female hawk.
What Do Hawks Represent?
Hawks represent strength, resilience and focus in many cultures and spiritual concepts.
What Do Hawk Calls Sound Like?
Adult hawks let out a hoarse and loud keee-eee-aaarr. It will last 2-3 seconds and will usually belt it while they’re up in the air.
Can Hawks Breed With Eagles?
While it has happened, with only 3 records being in the wild, it is not common. This is because a hawk breeding with an eagle would be like a cat breeding with a cheetah, it is not a sustainable or productive relationship.
Do Hawks Sleep While Flying?
Yes they do! As a matter of fact, all birds sleep while flying for long distances, but they’re more like power napping by using a small part of their brains.
Can I Keep A Hawk As A Pet?
No. In the United States, birds of prey are protected under federal law which means they’re not allowed to be kept in captivity or as pets.
