How to Prevent Hawks and Falcons from Killing Your Backyard Birds

Hawks and falcons are natural predators adept at killing prey. Unfortunately, often times their targets are birds visiting your backyard bird feeder. While these birds are natural parts of the ecosystem, it can still be distressing to see your favorite birds get taken by them. In this video, you will learn some strategies to give the birds in your backyard the best chance to survive an attack from a hawk or a falcon.
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[@chickadeecentral]

Yes, I've found that putting my feeder under a bushy tree makes it near impossible for hawks to have any sort of attack

[@Jps3bs]

It didn't stop a Coopers Hawk from snagging a starling feeding on a suet feeder under a crab apple tree. I witnessed this raw scene where the Coopers Hawk grabbed the starling and pinned it to the ground. All that was left was a beak and legs.

[@chickadeecentral]

@@Jps3bs the tree I hang my feeder from just doesn't let any hawks approach from above. They can do so from the side, but they lose any element of surprise so the little birds will be able to see them coming. Too bad it didn't work for you, but starlings are invasive species so could have been worse

[@Jps3bs]

@@chickadeecentral I agree completely about the starlings. 😉

[@karlsnow5281]

Peregrines are such adept slow and low flyers that he seems able to fly low under the trees weaving his way through the ash, wild cherry, maple, spruce, and juniper in our backyard to the feeders. I haven't seen evidence that he has been successful but if I leave food for the songbirds like I do it is inevitable.

[@chickadeecentral]

@@karlsnow5281 darn that is too bad. But you know peregrines are just doing what they are supposed to do and they have to eat birds to survive.

[@thetraveler2561]

Natural cover works great....we have our feeder underneath a full maple tree. Predators in the area would be hard pressed to see through that foliage.

[@dwhip49]

Any tips on keeping cats away? While it generates a sigh finding the occasional sad little pile of feathers, I do not begrudge hawks following their nature. Neighbors house cat however I cannot abide. Any tips on discouraging a cat?

[@barbaracole709]

I have many hawks around, but I have never seen them come after the bird feeders. The feeders are mostly in trees, so not easy for them to swoop down on. I have had this issue with feral cats, though. I started to leave cat food for them and since then, they have left the birds alone.

[@JaceB]

Hello, fellow Wisconsinites! I've been watching your channel for a while now and enjoy your content. I've been birding since 2015 and have a crazy (might not be that crazy to some) story to tell about an unexpected predator in my backyard. We have either House Sparrows or Robin's that decide to nest in our tree or inside under our gutters. This time it was House Sparrows, I heard them going nuts and decided to check it out and noticed the parents trying to fend off a Chipmunk, even other Sparrows tried fending it off, I tried to fend it off but to no avail. The Chipmunk dragged one of the babies under the fence and the next morning I found its body with its head chewed off. I was sad, I ran back to my room crying. I would've understood if it was a Squirrel but a Chipmunk? I guess that's what they mean by looks can be deceiving.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Greetings! That is grizzly. Most things in the animal world are opportunistic predators. I’ve seen videos of Pelicans eating pigeons and Herons eating gophers and such. We often think of certain species as “nicer” than others but most things will eat anything they can

[@hhaste]

Jeez, get that Chipmunk some peanuts

[@debrakleid5752]

We have a lot of hawks where I live and they are beautiful but they were killing our baby ducklings about 1-2 years ago especially since there was a mother duck to all of those ducklings so the hawks got them. Then this year the ducks learned how to prevent the hawks from attacking by making sure there are at least two adult ducks and a male is usually sitting on a fence or a sign so when the hawks attack the ducks have been fighting back and winning. Now we have so many ducklings and they are surviving. Two days ago I saw a hawk swoop down near the ducklings and not get anything. We have a lot of big birds here and the hawks are medium size compared to the cranes, egrets, and herons.

[@sarahray4852]

Feed the crows. They will chase the hawks away

[@undertheivy299]

This works!

[@theblissfullone]

I didn't know about this. Interesting. We have seed for small birds and put out peanuts for blue jays, crows, magpies. I've had the small birds, robins, doves, magpies, crows all at once in the yard, even the squirrel, getting along and feeding. Unfortunately, I was just on my back deck having a morning coffee and down came a sparrow hawk and took one of the little birds, but previous to that, one of my crows that frequents was cawing and cawing for a while atop one of the trees. I kind of wondered what was up, seemed excessive. Little did I know, within 5 -10 minutes of the crow stopping crowing the incident with the sparrow hawk attacking the little bird happened. So, I figure the sparrow hawk was sitting in one of the trees and perhaps the crow was trying to warn the other birds.

[@jennar.2499]

The hawk in my neighborhood isn’t afraid of the crows in my neighborhood. The crow is eating their babies right now 😭

[@birdocs]

so many garden birds, amazing.

[@renatab8293]

Thanks, well-written piece.

[@laurieromero4867]

I saw a hawk fly into a large shrub next to my bird feeders. Was it waiting to attack the feeder, raiding a nest or did it follow a bird? Not sure.

[@jaycee980]

We have cardinals, bluebirds, orioles, grackles, starlings, Robins, Bluejays.. and they all get along well. We also have hawks that I have witnessed fly off with cardinals and bluebirds and our neighbors chickens “disappear”. Not sure the misinformation about starlings.. Mozart had one as a pet, but thank god for Eagles as I’ve also seen them take down the hawks.

[@judycook4314]

Now if I could get rid of the squirrels, these suggestions would help greatly.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIKYlmR6oaaHhpIsi=DmyvID__QT9MYDWO

[@emptynestgardens9057]

First year in 28yrs we are seeing a hawk on our property, I think a Coopers Hawk. Lots of shrubs and trees for the birds to retreat to but our feeding station is in an open area with no cover so will be rectifying that. I've watched it go right into the pine trees bouncing around but only seen it grab a chipmunk 😬 I now know the difference in reaction when the birds flee the feeder because a Blue Jay is swooping in or the Hawk. I know before the Hawk even comes into view. 😔

[@itmaslanka]

Outside Philly today I was startled when a female cardinal crashed into my deck sliding glass door! I looked out side to see her siting on the deck and a 14” hawk sitting on the railing ! My girl finally flew away after 15 minutes and was feeding later ! I only have 2 cardinals, 3 doves and around 10-15 sparrows and that’s it ! Such a big decline the last 3 years ! Insects are 90% gone ! Sad !

[@jennie5713]

Thanks!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thank you!

[@BlaacHollow]

Is there a way to leave poison bait for the hawk? good way to get rid of the pest.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@BlaacHollow No, that’s super illegal and unethical. As mentioned in the video, hawks are part of a healthy ecosystem.

[@elainelomax6846]

What bird sounds scare Hawks but not song birds?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

None that I can think of. If it’s gonna scare a large bird it will also scare small birds

[@elainelomax6846]

@@BadgerlandBirdingAww I thought that might be the case! I don't want to scare the smaller birds, just the Sparrow Hawk! I know it's nature and this happens! Thank you for replying to my question 😊

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@elainelomax6846 Having your feeders next to cover such as trees and shrubs for a quick escape would help, or you could get a caged feeder. Those would be my biggest recommendations

[@elainelomax6846]

@@BadgerlandBirding Thank you! I will do my best to shelter the feeders! We have a dog which did manage to scare a Sparrow Hawk last year and a my friendly Blackbird escaped from its clutches 😊

[@ronaldriley264]

Keep a radio playing in back yard.

[@jacobwixom9275]

It is a bird feeder after all. They never specified what bird would be feed.

[@kevinreichenbach5326]

Equal opportunity bird feeders. 😁👍

[@AB-qb1xv]

Keep a nerf gun handy 🔫

[@alexburke1530]

Just yesterday a Coppers hawk flew into a bush and killed a female house sparrow and landed in my neighbors yard into a tree and ate it.

[@outwiththem]

BB gun strong one. Or Pellet Gun. They are pest. Save The American Songbirds.

[@Solstice261]

You are not a birder if your solution to everything is kill it with a gun, a large amount of these raptors are rare animals or are endangered so I sincerely hope you get judged by any wildlife crime your sick mind has committed

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That’s super illegal

[@OntarioBirding7538]

No matter how many birds they are killing, never shoot these beautiful raptors

[@cathyharder2654]

Haha. I put up a feeder to attract a local Cooper. They gotta eat too. 😜

[@snowyowl5556]

Depends what they're killing... if it's house sparrows, carry on 🗿

[@BadgerlandBirding]

It’s always house sparrows with you

[@snowyowl5556]

​@@BadgerlandBirdingyes 🗿

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@snowyowl5556 should change your name to house sparrow555

[@snowyowl5556]

@@BadgerlandBirding I'll consider that 🗿

[@OntarioBirding7538]

@@BadgerlandBirding hey he never did it! Those pesky sparrows are the only birds at my feeders!

[@coziii.1829]

Why prevent hawks I want hawks around. Plus they haven’t got any of my chickens Cause I feed my hawks

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Then you’re good, why did you click on this video? Lol

[@Duriantherainwing123]

I personally have no problem with having hawks around especially in winter they gotta survive to

[@VanysErdbeerzombies]

I Feed all kind of birds ❤ don’t hate raptors

[@pauraque]

Call me a satanist, but I want raptors at my feeders. Goshawk 😩

[@FEPSO]

Im evil and i like seeing hawks snatch the little birds

[@shannonhope8418]

I like watching them snatch your little kids up and take them off to eat.Your kids are worthless anyway

[@MikeDarnell-u1b]

We hunt quail a good bit in Georgia and shoot hawks when we see them.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That’s super illegal

[@MikeDarnell-u1b]

@@BadgerlandBirding we got a permit from Georgia DNR. The area we quail hunt is overrun with Hawks and we are helping out local chicken farmers by taking out a few.

[@antlerking69]

Accipiters gotta eat 😉

[@judyheim6888]

My neighbors had lots of problems with hawks preying at their feeders, even though the feeders were located under bushy trees. They claimed the hawks would startle the birds, the birds would hit windows and the hanks would grab the stunned birds. I had feeders just yards away and didn't have this problem, but then my windows were far from the feeders. I did once spot a Cooper's hawk sitting on a nearby fence watching the feeders, but he grew bored and flew off. I think their theory that the hawks learned that they could startle birds and grab the ones that hit windows was accurate. Thank you for another great video!

[@Beryllahawk]

I've got a suet feeder in the low branches of a sweet-gum tree in my yard; that tree is also growing tightly against a longleaf pine, and between them and the wisteria and muscadine vines, there's LOTS of good cover. We have hawks that actively hunt the neighborhood, but they're not all that interested in dive bombing anyone's yard that I've heard about. Especially when there are parking lots nearby filled with easier prey that has less reliable cover. There are so many house sparrows in the grocery store lot that a band of crows has more or less taken up residence, and I've seen at least one red-shouldered hawk sky-fighting the crows for a snack, heh. For a lot of urban spaces I think just smart placement of feeding stations is sufficient. A predator has to be "lazy" whenever it can, but going after birds at a feeder that's quite close to cover isn't a safe bet for an easy meal. At least it seems that way from my limited observations! Sample bias is a thing!

[@donnamillermcnutt]

I love all animals but I had to swallow a hard pill this week. A hawk or falcon or Eagle (I’ve seen all 3 here) attacked AND KILLED 3 of my chickens IN THE PAST 4 DAYS!!!! I am just SICK!!! My birds have been free-range (during the day) since I got them…4 years ago…. It’s not unusual to lose one or maybe 2 a YEAR, but THIS IS CRAZY!!! I realize that most people have chickens, for eggs or meat. And I do love the eggs they give me, but my sweet chickens are PETS. They sit in my lap. They follow me all around the yard. They have dresses they wear (to keep the aggression from the roosters at bay) and my Lucy Girl sits in my lap AND WATCHES TV!!! I don’t know what to do. They have a nice chicken coop and an enclosed pen. But it has become devoid of grass because they’ve eaten it all. My yard is a half acre and they love roaming around. I have a plethora of trees and evergreens, and they run to the evergreens to take cover when a preditory bird is close. BUT THIS BIRD ACTUALLY GOT IN THE EVERGREEN 🌲 TREE TO GET THEM!!! My hens feathers were all scattered under the tree!! I couldn’t believe it. What else can I do? I had 29 chickens at one time and now I’m down to 6 hens and 1 rooster. I’m done with the chicken business.

[@Solstice261]

I am really sorry for your loss and I applaud you for not taking it out with the hawk and placing traps ( I know people who've done that, it's disgusting) maybe you can add some artificial cover around the area and that way give the chickens a place to run to if they are attacked no matter where they find themselves, I am sorry I can't think of any other thing, it does sound like you are in a really tight spot

[@theblissfullone]

I'm so sorry to hear this. You definitely gave those chickens a beautiful life, please remember how awesome you are for that. I can relate though, it's not easy. I was just sitting on my back deck having a coffee and BOOM, down came a sparrow hawk on one of my little backyard birds .. 😥 .. I slapped my hands together in hopes to do something, but he just flew off with the little bird .. so sad. Hence, me getting on line here and finding this video on ideas to help my little birds.

[@undertheivy299]

Thanks for the tips! Hate seeing the hawks around 😢

[@elainelomax6846]

@@undertheivy299 me too! 🥹

[@summertime5101]

The predatory hawks seem to be killing every song bird in my area including attacking people.

[@mr1pearl]

Some really great tips on this one thanks !

[@lorisorenson4608]

We like feeding these little birds, we've had ones that r not typically seen around here , our feeders are up inside our trees!

[@birddayparties]

Great tips 👍👍Will try the decals❤❤

[@dinkss0102]

These are great tips! Is it likely for hawks to prey on or snatch cats? A Siberian for example

[@BadgerlandBirding]

More likely for eagles to take them

[@ronaldriley264]

Put a scarecrow in yard.

[@TheDarktater]

I was sad when a Sharp-Shinned snagged a Downy in my yard this winter, but it was fascinating getting to watch the hawk for a good 10 minutes from only 15 feet away.

[@janeenpfeiffer3465]

Hawks and falcons are so beautiful to see! While it is Dad to think about their food sources, I still enjoy seeing them❤

[@frankking4075]

I have a cat trap plus an electric fence around top and bottom of avaries ,have no cat problem!😊

[@bolgerlake]

I wouldn't mind if a hawk came to my feeder and idealy grab a starling. They need to eat as well anyway.

[@darrenporter1850]

How about letting nature be nature

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Did you watch solution #5?

[@shannonhope8418]

Hopefully they grab your kids and eat your kids. How about letting nature be nature

[@brummybirder]

I've stopped feeding wild-birds during the global bird flu outbreak, high concentrations feeding in the same place over and over is probably not helping. As for hawks they are majestic and just as welcome as the song birds in my garden.