Seeing hawks around your backyard bird feeders can be alarming. While raptors are majestic creatures, most homeowners want to protect the songbirds visiting their feeders. If hawks have become a problem at your bird feeders, there are several effective deterrents you can use to discourage them from hunting there. In this guide, I’ll explain why hawks go after feeders and share actionable tips to keep hawks away from your bird feeder.
Key Takeaways:
- Eliminate elevated perches and obstruct hawk flight paths near feeders.
- Choose protected feeder locations close to cover and away from open areas.
- Install physical and sensory hawk deterrents like scare devices and sprinklers.
- Modify landscaping to create quick escape areas and block hawk sightlines.
- Relocate persistent problem hawks only as a last resort if other measures fail.
- Follow guidelines on deterrent use and never illegally harm hawks.
Why Do Hawks Attack Bird Feeders?
Hawks are opportunistic hunters. They have incredible eyesight and can spot small birds from high vantage points. Backyard bird feeders provide ideal conditions for hawks to find prey. Here are some of the main reasons hawks target backyard feeders:
- Concentration of birds – Numerous small birds gathered in one spot make for easy pickings. Feeders draw in birds and keep them in one place.
- Element of surprise – Much of the habitat around feeders is open. Hawks can approach quickly and ambush unsuspecting birds.
- Repeat food source – Once a hawk successfully catches prey at a feeder, it will return again and again looking for an easy meal.
The most common hawk species known to target backyard feeders in North America include:
- Cooper’s Hawks
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Red-shouldered Hawks
These athletic birds of prey are designed to hunt songbirds. By taking action to make your yard less attractive to hawks, you can continue enjoying your feeders without endangering valuable wildlife.
5 Ways to Keep Hawks Away from Bird Feeders
Here are five of the most effective methods for keeping hawks away from your bird feeders:
1. Eliminate Landing and Perching Spots
Hawks need open, elevated perches to successfully hunt songbirds. Start deterring hawks by eliminating any perches that give them a height advantage.
Cut back tree branches and shrubs that overhang or grow too close to your feeders. This forces hawks to make their approach out in the open where birds can see them coming.
Also, install feeders with integrated predator guards like those with built-in roofs. The protective barriers prevent hawks from striking down on birds from above.
2. Install Physical Barriers and Obstacles
Objects that physically block hawks from swooping in can be very effective. Try using feeders with integrated cage designs that prevent midair attacks.
You can also mount individual feeders on posts and hang them above open hooks or upside-down funnels. These obstacles make it difficult for hawks to gain enough momentum for a surprise strike.
Placing feeders in the interior of dense shrubs rather than along edges provides small birds with quick escape cover. Just be sure to prune back branches to eliminate overhead perches.
3. Choose Feeder Locations Carefully
Where you place feeders affects how vulnerable birds are to hawk attacks.
Avoid putting feeders:
- Near trees, fence posts, or other high perches
- Too far from escape cover
- In wide open areas
The most hawk-proof spots are within a few feet of dense shrubs or brush piles. This allows small birds to quickly take shelter.
Also, keep feeders closer to your house and areas of high human activity. Hawks tend to avoid hunting around continuous disturbance.
4. Install Scare Devices
Specially designed hawk scare devices create discomfort and make hawks feel unsafe. Few scare tactics that will keep hawks away from your bird feeder include:
Motion-activated sprinklers – When triggered by movement, these spray water to startle hawks. Place them near feeders.
Hawk effigies – Lifelike plastic predator models like hawks and owls can deter hawks when moved around regularly.
Noisemakers – Motion-sensor alarms, clanging pie pans, wind chimes and other noisemakers frighten hawks.
Reflective tape – Mylar tape flashing in the sunlight mimics the discomfort of mobbing birds and repels hawks.
Fake electric fencing – Plastic fencing with fake solar energisers provides a visual scare that hawks avoid.
Use a combination of different devices and move them frequently to increase effectiveness.
5. Landscape for Safety
Make your entire yard less attractive to hawks looking for places to hunt.
Remove bird feeders – Taking down bird feeders for brief periods of time encourages small birds to disperse and eliminates a hawk target.
Plant dense shrubs and vines – These create quick escape cover near feeders and block hawk flight paths. Good choices include honeysuckle, currant, rose, and pyracantha.
Let brushy areas grow – Hawk-proof habitat contains heavy ground cover, thickets and dense areas birds can take refuge in. Allow safe zones to grow wild.
Add water features – Birdbaths, fountains, or small ponds give birds open space to detect approaching hawks.
Through smart feeder placement and modifying habitat, you can reduce hawk predation while still enjoying bird feeding.
What time of day are hawks most active at bird feeders?
Hawks tend to be most active hunting at bird feeders during the early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. Let’s take a look in detail when hawks are likely to frequent backyard bird feeders:
- Early Morning – Hawks often hunt first thing in the morning at dawn or shortly after. Their activity tends to peak in the hour or two after first light. Their prey, small birds and mammals, are also more active at this time as they search for food.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening – As daylight begins fading, hawks often become more active again as nocturnal creatures start emerging and diurnal birds return to feeders before nightfall. The hour or two before dusk can be a prime hunting time.
- Mid-Day – Hawks are less likely to be seen hunting during mid-day when the sun is high. Their activity tends to decrease as the morning passes and temperatures climb. Heat waves rising from the ground can also make it harder for hawks to spot prey.
- Overcast/Rainy Days – With their keen eyesight compromised, hawks often hunt more actively on overcast days. Prey also tends to be more exposed as they search for food before storms.
So, while hawks may opportunistically hunt at feeders any time of day, gardeners and birdwatchers like us are most likely to observe hawk activity in the early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. Being aware of these peak activity times can help in watching for hawk behavior.
What to do When Hawks Won’t Stay Away
With persistence and consistency using multiple deterrents, most backyard hawks can be convinced not to hunt near feeders. But a very small percentage of individual hawks become completely habituated to feeders.
If a hawk continues attacking your bird feeder despite every deterrent, more extreme measures may be needed:
- Relocate problem feeders – Place them at least a mile away to break the hawk’s habitual pattern.
- Remove feeders entirely – As a last resort, taking feeders down for 1-2 months forces hawks to hunt elsewhere.
- Call wildlife authorities – In rare cases, relocation of a problem hawk may be considered. Never take action against hawks on your own.
Following the steps in this guide will allow you to enjoy bird feeding and minimize hawk threats. With some creativity and vigilance, you can have both thriving backyard songbirds and respect for raptors.
Appreciate Hawks in the Backyard
Hawks play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by regulating populations of small mammals and birds. While it is important to take precautions to protect smaller birds, we should also take the time to appreciate the impressive nature of hawks and their hunting skills.
Observing hawk behavior can offer valuable insights into their natural instincts and hunting techniques. By learning more about their hunting patterns, flight behaviors, and territorial displays, we can deepen our connection with nature and develop a greater appreciation for these magnificent birds.
To coexist peacefully with hawks, it is essential to create a safe and inviting feeding environment for smaller birds. By implementing precautionary measures such as temporarily removing the feeders and placing them near shelter, we can protect smaller birds while ensuring that hawks can continue to hunt in neighboring areas.
The Role of Hawks in Ecosystems
Hawks are apex predators in their ecosystems, and they play a vital role in maintaining balance and biodiversity. By preying on small mammals and birds, they help control their populations, preventing overpopulation and preserving the health of the ecosystem.
Positive Contributions | Negative Impacts |
---|---|
Regulate small mammal populations | Predation on backyard birds |
Control bird populations | Potential disturbance to nesting areas |
Contribute to the balance of nature | Occasional conflicts with human activities |
By appreciating hawks’ role in the ecosystem, we can better understand their importance and the need to coexist harmoniously with them. This understanding allows us to appreciate their presence in our backyard and the beauty they bring to our natural surroundings.
By creating a safe environment and appreciating the magnificent nature of hawks, we can foster a sense of wonder and respect for these remarkable birds while ensuring the protection of smaller backyard species.
FAQ
How can I keep hawks away from my bird feeders?
One effective method is to temporarily take down the feeders for a week or two. This disperses the bird population and reduces the appeal for hawks. Placing bird feeders near shelter, such as trees or bushes, can also provide smaller birds with hiding spots and make it harder for hawks to attack. Avoiding ground feeding and keeping the area clean of spilled seeds can further minimize the risk of hawk attacks.
How long should I take down the feeders to keep hawks away?
The recommended duration to keep the feeders down is one to two weeks. However, observing hawk activity can provide insights into the appropriate timing for your specific location. During this time, alternative feeding methods such as scattering bird seed in secluded areas or hanging feeders closer to windows can be utilized.
Why should I place bird feeders near shelter?
Placing bird feeders near shelter, such as trees or shrubs, can provide smaller birds with hiding spots and make it easier for them to escape from hawks. Dense foliage offers excellent cover, and strategic placement of feeders within a few feet of shelter reduces exposure to potential predators. Creating a diverse range of shelter options, such as different types of trees and shrubs, can attract a wider variety of bird species to the feeding area.
What should I avoid to minimize the risk of attracting hawks?
It is best to avoid ground feeding to minimize the risk of attracting hawks. Instead, opt for elevated feeding options such as hanging feeders from trees or posts. Platform feeders or feeders with perches can provide comfortable feeding positions for birds while reducing the risk of ground-feeding birds falling prey to predators or encountering diseases. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the feeding area can also minimize spills and scattered seeds that may attract hawks.
How can I keep my backyard birds protected while allowing hawks to coexist?
By implementing strategies such as temporarily removing the feeders, placing them near shelter, avoiding ground feeding, and appreciating the presence of hawks in the backyard, you can provide a safe environment for smaller birds while still allowing hawks to coexist in the ecosystem. It is important to remember that hawks are essential for maintaining balance in nature, and their presence adds to the beauty and diversity of bird feeding activities.