This mated pair of Red-tailed Hawks was unusually “clingy” with each other.
I photographed them many times over a period of 3-4 summers at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Montana. This old snag was their favorite perch and I could reliably find at least one of them there and often both of them. It wasn’t unusual to find them so close to each other they almost seemed to be cuddling.
On this morning, July 22, 2012, several other raptors including another Red-tailed Hawk and a male American Kestrel intruded on their territory so they were both unusually vocal and seeming to need to be close to each other.
When the larger female flew off for a few minutes her mate immediately moved to where she had been perched…
as if he were saving her spot.
At that point I watched the intruding red-tail through my lens for a few minutes and happened to catch the male kestrel buzzing it and the hawk responding by scolding the aggressive little falcon.
Soon the larger female returned to her mate but he didn’t relinquish her original perch to her so she…
moved closer to him and they got cuddly again.
Red-tailed Hawks typically mate for life and these two were almost a fixture in this and adjoining trees for three, possibly four summers. Then one summer they weren’t there and I never saw them again.
I’ve always wondered what became of them.
Ron
Note:
Some readers like to see a broader view of the locations where my photos are taken. These birds were just outside of the tiny, rustic and historic “town” of Lakeview, MT. If you look at the photo in this link the snag these hawks were perched on is not far out of frame along the road disappearing to the left.
Some readers will remember my reunion with my old friends Brooke Williams and Terry Tempest Williams and my first meeting with my hero Doug Peacock. That reunion took place on the porch of the far left cabin near the center of the photo within days of when these photos were taken. Good memories!
I wonder if one of the pair was lost. It is said that with Bald Eagles, it the female is lost the male will try to bring a new female to its nest, but if a male is lost the female may find another mate and join him on his territory. Our local male Bald Eagle has been at the same nest since before 2007. Four years ago the female disappeared and he brought in a new 4-year old. She lacked maternal instinct the first year but now they have his 21st and 22nd eaglet in the nest. The large birds of prey and even vultures are said to mate for life.
Have seen several male mates lost. The female retains the territory and attracts a new male to her nest where they stay. The female doesn’t leave. Eagles have nest fidelity over mate fidelity. They both stay in the territory if a mate is lost. Also if it is a single male, females will come to check out the nest. The female chooses the male and the nest. Many females have shown up to bachelor nests and have fought each other for the right to become the next mate. Dad Norfolk had 4 females after he lost his first long time mate. Dad Decorah was lucky to have young Mom Decorah show up and choose his nest. She is an awesome female eagle and mother. 🙂
These are just beautiful, heartfelt photos. Thanks so much for sharing them Ron. When you dig back into your archives you always come up with real treasures.
I feel a special connection with these pics having spent time at Red Rock Lakes and having followed a nesting pair of red-tails near my home in central CA the past 2 years. I understand the connection you formed with the pair. With spring coming on we are watching closely and hoping to see another nest of successful fledglings.
I’m glad to hear you’ve been there, Julie. You obviously understand…
Ron, these Red-Tailed Hawks are absolutely beautiful and so affectionate. Your commentary is great as it certainly tells a story.
You do have to wonder what happened to these love birds and hope that they are alive and well.
Hope you are improving with time.
Thank you
Thank you, Alice.
Very sweet! I like that he kept her space warm for her. 😉
Saw our shelter Red Tail when I took my foster dog back this morning. She was just circling over the large play yard. When we went out in the backyard early this morning, it was “Phoebe Central” — about a dozen of them hanging out in the orange trees. Plus, a wonderful avian vocalist at the top of my neighbor’s avocado tree.
I’m jealous, Marty. I’m so looking forward to singing spring birds around here!
You’re more than welcome to come visit! I’ll take you down to Bolsa China and up into the mountains. 🙂
Make that Bolsa CHICA. 😉
Great shots Ron and commentary, Makes me proud to be a lover of wildlife!
Thank you, Ernest.
That’s one high-steppin’ bird. It’s very common to see Red-tailed Hawks here but haven’t seen a pair. I wonder if they share food. Noticed the bloody feet in some of the photos. The Taft-Nicholson Center looks beautiful. Must have been quite a reunion conversation.
Lyle, we had a wonderful time catching up on old times and I enjoyed fawning over Doug Peacock. I’d wanted to m meet him for years.
I’ve been an intermittent reader since early Feb because of vacation on Maui and still trying to catch up with lots of things since my return — but you had me at Red-tail! Love these beautiful hawks (which I missed seeing while on-island, though lots of other wonderful birds to see/hear), and these images are particularly compelling. “Red-tails in Love,” indeed! And that photo of the Kestrel v. Hawk is terrific! Thanks, Ron — hope your recovery is going well.
Welcome back, Chris. And thanks.
Humans! Take Notice! We can learn how to behave by watching bird families!
🙂
This is a nice little story and pictures you have put together. Beautiful. Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Trudy. Thanks.
Wonderful behavioral series Ron!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Charlotte
Thanks on both counts, Charlotte.
Such a beautiful pair. I especially like your last photo…the look in his eyes captures my heart. ❤️ What a great privilege for you to follow them for those years. It too makes me wonder what happened to them…
I miss them both, Kathy. That old snag looks naked every time I see it now.
Wonderful series, Ron! Your photos always make my coffee taste better! ☺
Loved your last sentence, Diane. Thanks.
I really love the one where he is stepping so intentionally into her space. Great series, professor!
If you keep calling me professor I’ll start thinking I have a real job again. The horror of that thought! Thanks, Arwen.
LOL, you do have a job! It’s called photographer.
Absolutely stunning hawks, Ron! 🙂 Have only seen the “really red” coloring in one and that was recently. The variation in coloring of Red Tailed Hawks is amazing…….. Glad you posted the series and commentary on the behavior. That always adds to the “story”. 🙂 As a special ed teacher my sister always noted that the kids were rarely the problem – the parents were…… 😉 Endless, stupid meetings are everywhere……. 🙁
“my sister always noted that the kids were rarely the problem – the parents were”
More often that not that was the case for me too, Judy. But overall I had pretty good parents too. I was lucky. The thing I hated most about parent teacher conferences was the brutal schedule. The conferences were always high tension and the days were long (teach a full day, then have conferences till 9 PM). I was exhausted for days after they were over.
Good morning, Ron…..I’m at a loss for words….I’m run out of superlatives…all great shots…but I especially like the fourth one…the flying kestrel..the screaming hawk and that beautiful tree just does it for me…Thank you!
Thanks very much, Steve. I got two shots of that interaction between the kestrel and the red-tail but I think that’s the best one of the two.
Gorgeous birds in amazing light. Again, thanks for your inspiration to live through parent teacher conference today.
Thanks, Suzanne.
The last part of your comment reminded my of how very much I’m glad to be retired. As much as I loved it in the classroom with my kids I have two memories of my 33 year teaching career that make me shudder with dread and loathing to this day – parent teacher conferences and endless, insipid and meaningless faculty meetings.
Amen to that, Ron! I DEFINITELY don’t miss stupid #*$Q&#)*TY)#$*Q)#*T& faculty meetings!