I have a dove pen in the yard next to the garden, and recently a red-tailed hawk has taken up residence along side the doves. At first I thought he was trying to steal one of the birds, but after watching him all day, I have begun to draw other conclusions.
First off, I have state land and timber company land all around me, a creek not far away, and plenty of food for that hawk. Anywhere he flies he can find all sorts of mice, snakes, lizards, you name it, so I doubt that he's hungry. Besides, I've had that dove pen for at least 8 years and never had a problem with hawks.
This bird is acting funny. He'll sit there under the pen looking up like he's listening, then he flies up to the screen wire and kinda looks in. He'll grab the wire with his talons and flap his wings and look into the cage. He doesn't bite the wire or anything. He'll stand there when I walk up and let me get within six feet of him, which is extemely unusual.And I don't think birds get rabies, which can cause animals to act funny.
I had just about decided he must have fallen out of his tree and bumped his head or something, when another thought struck me........ ...you dont suppose this bird's IN LOVE ?? That would explain everything, except for one thing;.... how'd he get that way??
Anybody out there seen any "odd pairings" in the animal world?, or have some funny animal stories to tell?
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I thought from the title of the post this was a new color of paint!
Birds of a feather flock togeter. That's the age old rule of nature. Of course, these days, nothing in animal or humans seems natural. Maybe this bird is a "cross dresser" or a dove in drag!
Paint up a quick sign that carries a Valentine Greeting, grab your video camera, and catch them in the act and then send it to Animal Planet videos. hahahahaha
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Jeff, that is really strange. I do have an animal story for you. My oldest son had this really great and spirited quarter horse. The hubby had 2 kid goats that we caught riding on the horse's back one day. We started watching and discovered that the horse would get really close to an old camper shell that the goats would climb on then jump on the horse for a free ride. This went on day after day for a long time.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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jeff, 1st thing i would do is check with fish and game, and see who in your area had a lisence for a red tailed hawk. you can keep these birds, but you need a permit. this might be one someone was training. they use doves for the hawk to kill in flight. also he may have been pen kept and thinks hes home....it aint love....its predotory behaviour.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am not an expert on birds, just a full blown animal lover! Sounds to me that the hawk was either domesticated or pen trained, but, please don't quote me Perhaps the bird got disoriented through being dislocated or needs to prepare a nest, or both? Getting in touch with the wildlife folks is sure to be a winner, since they try to track those hawks, at least in the north they do. But, hearing Kathy's story, I am still trying to hang onto my chair! Hahahahahah, where WAS your video camera??!( Hey, Jeff, that would make a great video too).
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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