Swainson's Hawks may have reproduced already...

 

Photosby BarrytheBirder

s

Swainson's Hawks have been circling over Aurora for several weeks now, and may have already raised a brood of young hawks.   Several birds, more than what should be the usual number, have been seen in the past few days, and I have the feeling that some may be new, first year birds.   Swainson's Hawks are normally found in the U.S. midwest, but have been showing up in southern Ontario in recent years.

Swainson's are about the same size as Red-tailed Hawks, but have a noticeable white belly (see photo above).

This is third consecutive year these birds, normally found in places like Kansas, have appeared hereabouts, just north of Lake Ontario.

Although this hawk can take rodents, reptiles and birds, it prefers large insects, which makes me wonder how much they have been getting to eat in the cold spring, before the insect advent.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder