[mou] Sharp-shinned Hawk behavior

[Bruce W. Stahly]

Anyone know if it usual for a Sharp-shinned Hawk to be aggressive toward 
an intruder (that would be me) after the young birds have hatched? I am 
used to being dive-bombed by these birds during their courtship period 
and early nesting cycle (end of May here in Cook County). There is 
usually a Sharp-shinned Hawk nest somewhere in the vicinity of the paths 
where we walk our dog twice a day or more. The aggressive behavior has 
always ceased during the incubation period, and long before the young 
have hatched, about July 1.  At the moment, I am being dive-bombed every 
day by a Sharp-shinned Hawk, who seems particularly bold,  and who seems 
to have a penchant for an attack from the rear. She (I believe it is the 
female, based on size) has never actually touched me, but it is quite 
startling to have a bird suddenly swoosh over your head from behind. I 
would assume that the young are hatched out by now (though I've not 
heard any begging calls).  I haven't located the nest, as it is too 
stressful, for both me and the bird, to stand there looking for it.  Is 
this behavior at this stage unusual? For the moment, I guess I will make 
a detour around this area.


Bruce Stahly
Grand Marais