I am using Wikipedia for a project in my English class at Clemson University.
This is my lead section.
Description
editHawks have always been known to have sharp vision and very able and adequate hunters[1]. Within the hawk species, the female is actually larger than the male. This is known as sexual dimorphism. Some studies say that sexual dimorphism is caused by the animal's diet[2].
Migration
editLike most birds, the hawk migrates in the fall and the spring seasons. Different types of hawks choose separate times in both of the seasons to migrate north or south. The entire autumn migrating season extends all the way from August to half way through December. It has been studied that there are longer migration distances then others. The long-distance travelers tend to begin in early autumn while the short distance travelers start much later. In conclusion, the longer the distance the earlier the bird begins its journey. There have also been a few studies on the relevance of the speed and efficiency of the bird's migration[3]. It is better for a hawk to arrive at it's destination as early as possible. This is because the first bird to a new area has the first pick of mates, living area, food, and much more necessities for survival. The more fat a bird has when it starts it's migration, the better chance it has of making the trip safely. Kerlinger states that studies have shown that a bird has more body fat when it begins it's migration before it leaves then when it is fished with its travels and has arrived at it's destination[4].
One of the most important part of the hawk's migration is the flight direction because the direction or path the bird chooses to take could greatly affect it's migration. The force of wind is a large variable because it could either through the bird off course or push it in the right direction, depending on the direction of the wind[4]. To ensure a safer journey, a hawk tries to avoid any large bodies of water in the spring and fall by detouring around a lake or flying along a boarder[5].
Habitat
editThe Red-Tailed Hawk is the most popular hawk in North America. Previous observations have indicted that while hawks can easily mold to any sounding, the birds much rather a habitat that is open. Hawks usually like to live in places like desserts and fields probably to make it easier to find prey. Since these birds can easily live anywhere with out to much problem, they can be found in mountainous plains and tropical, moist areas. Hawks have even been found in places such as Central America, the West Indies, and even Jamaica. Just like most birds, hawks like to nest as high as possible. They use sticks to make their nests high above the earth's surface[1]. Hawks are very territorial when it comes to their habitation grounds. Hawk mates will defend their area and ward off any potential dangers[2]. In reference to the population of certain types of hawks in different places, such as the Red-shouldered hawk, there is a decrease some places and an increase in other places. For example, there is a decrease of this bird during the autumn migration on Hawk Mountain, Minnesota, and Bake Oven Knob, but an increase in Canada[5].
Behavior
editStarting in the hawk's early life, the bird is fed by its parents until they leave the nest for good[1]. The young hawk, while still in its fledgling phase, will leave its nest as early as six week old. Once the bird is older and begins its ancestral instinct to hunt. The hawk makes its kills of its prospective meals with its claws as appose to other predator birds such as the falcon. The falcon uses its claws to catch the prey but kills the small animal with its mouth instead of its claws, like the hawk[2]. The hawk's preferred time for hunting is usually just before night fall when the daylight begins to lessen[3]. Even though the hawk is known for being a violent predator, the bird is actually on the peaceful side[2]. The hawk's main way of transportation is flying. When it flies, the hawk flaps its wings rapidly, and then uses that momentum to glide smoothly and gracefully through the air[5].
The idea of flocking during migration has been closely analyzed, and there is a conclusion that it is a commutative tool used by birds and other animals to increase survival. It has become very clear to observers that a bird traveling in a flock has a greater chance of survival then if it made the journey alone. Another word used in the United States that has the same meaning of flock is "kettle"[4]
Reproduction
editHawks have been known for their mating season. The method this animal uses to reproduce is different from most. The male and female will fly together up in the air in a circular motion. Once the two get to a certain height, the male will dive toward the female and then they will raise back to the height again. The two birds will repeat this until finally the male latches onto the female and they begin to free-fall down to earth. Some species of hawks will keep the same mate their entire lives. In one year, a female hawk will lay about five eggs. Both the male and the female will cater and take care of the eggs for about a month until they hatch[1]. The male and the Female well also create their nest before the mating season and will improve it together during the nesting season. The two birds usually make their nest prior to mating. Hawks tend to be monogamous because they usually stay with the same mating partner their whole lives[5].
Diet
editA hawk's diet is very predictable in that it includes a variety of smaller animals. Some of these small animals may include snakes, lizards, mice, rabbits, squirrels, and any other type of small game that is found on the ground[1]. More specifically, a Red-shouldered hawk likes to eat smaller birds like doves and bugs like grasshoppers and crickets for example[5].
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Red-Tailed Hawk". National Geographic. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Hawks-Characteristics and Behavior". Net Industries. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ a b Heintzelman, Donald S. (1986). The Migration of Hawks. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 40.
- ^ a b c Kerlinger, Paul (1989). Flight Strategies of Migrating Hawks. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. p. 57. Cite error: The named reference "Flight Strategies" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d e Heitzelman, Donald S. (2004). Hawks & Owls in Eastern North America. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. p. 98. Cite error: The named reference "Soaring Hawks" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).