Since I have numerous bird feeders, there is also at least one hawk that frequents my yard. At first I figured it was a red tailed hawk but the one I saw yesterday was different. I've looked in my Audubon Field Guide and it was no help. SO.... It was not very big, gray-brown with dark striping across its tail feathers, It had flecks of white on its body. I live in a small town nestled in the vally along the Delaware River on the NY,NJ,PA borders. Any ideas?

You probably have either a Coop[er's Hawk or a Sharp-Shinned Hawks. Both hawks are similar in appearance, both LOVE to stay in suburbs, and both LOVE to hang out around feeders where they feed......not on bird food, but on the BIRDS themselves!! Both of these species can be found in your area all year as well as in Tennessee, where I live. I had my irst Cooper's at my feeders last week. It didn't get any birds, but it was trying to. Cooper's are are the famous so-called, "Chicken Hawk". They are called that from their habit of hanging around farms hoping to get some chicken "biscuits" for their breakfast.

Thanks, Thornius. This hawk had whacked a small bird and was up in the neighbor's tree eating. Now that I know what the possibilities are, I will have another go with the Audubon Field Guide next time it comes by. I have had hawks before and some are right bold in that they sit on the fence picking out a worthy meal. It is sad that they eat the birds that I am feeding, but I guess that is the way it goes in nature.

Try a Google Image Search on those two Hawks.

Hey, guess what-that darn hawk that I chase away from my rabbits ALL THE DANG TIME, had the nerve to park on my patio fence right before my very eyes.
Yep, screamed my lungs out, but it was, I admit, interesting to see one so close up like that.
It was sitting where the barn owl was not too long ago. Same spot on the fence too.
This is why I put the rabbits' foods under an upside down patio chair. I wish I could make some kind of tunnel for the rabbits' safe coming and going, but it's not possible here.
What can I do to make the rabs' feeding station safer?

Deborah, get the rabbits some miniature machine guns and miniature assault weapons so if the hawk shows up while they are feeding they can bust a cap in the hawk's 4$$. Yo! Yo! Yo! the Bunny's in the house, YO!

Very funny !

Here is a picture of the leader of the "Home Bunnies".

RABBI "T" THE HIP-HOP HASIDIC

Deborah all you could do is make some sort of cage to put their food under. Like the chair idea but with chicken wire. Or feed them under shrubbery so they have cover all the time.
Thorny I thought rodent assault rifles were outlawed

I put the squirrels' food under the shrubs, but the rabs insist on the patio, so that's why I use the chair.
Plus, the shrubs are too far away and I like to enjoy the rabs close up.
Really cute graphics, Wrennie !

Thornius!! It looks like you are pulling that poor rabbits whiskers!

I would NEVER deliberately hurt that sweet bunny. He sits with me on the computer and eats chocolate.

What kind of chocolate?

DARK, SEMI-SWEET chocolate drops; like they make cookies with.

YUM !