Amazing Footage Of Hawk In Carroll Gardens/ Gowanus

video credit: Steven Cloud 

This amazing video of a hawk consuming a snack was shot by Steven Cloud, who forwarded it to me.  He writes:
"I'm a long time reader and thought you might like to see/share this video of what I believe to be a hawk eating another bird. I shot the video from the back of my apartment on 3rd Street near Smith on Wednesday morning around 8am."
How cool. I am always amazed that such big birds of prey are thriving right here in our neighborhood.

There have been several sightings in the last few years, including this one  in Carroll Park.  They were all confirmed to be red-tailed hawks.  The one filmed by Steven looks very similar.  Can someone confirm?

Thanks so much for sharing, Steven.


*Update* According to Rob Jett of City Bird, this is Cooper's Hawk, which is overwintering in New York. Read more

An Unusual Back Yard Visitor In Carroll Gardens

My friend Joe was a bit startled to find a this large bird of prey in his Carroll Gardens backyard over the week-end.  The raptor was perched on an old clothesline pole, snacking on a bloody carcass.
Joe thinks it was a Peregrine Falcon.  To me it looks more like a hawk.  Any experts out there who can identify it?


**Reader and friend Phyllis was kind enough to forward the photos to bird expert Bob Candido, who replied:
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) - feed primarily on small birds in our area.
This photo shows a juvenile (first winter) female.
These hawks occasionally breed in NYC. They have bred in the Bronx and Staten Island in the last 10 years...they are very common winter residents in NYC - frequently seen in backyards where they like to catch birds at bird feeders...
Read more

Pretty Big Hawk Just Chilling Out On Carroll Street In Carroll Gardens

photos above courtesy of Max Kelly

My husband was the first to spot this impressive looking hawk, which was just chilling out in a large tree on Carroll Street. I wasn't around to take a photo, but thankfully, son and photographer Max Kelly had enough time to capture the bird in these photos before it flew off.

Could it be the same hawk that was spotted in Carroll Park back in November 2008? (See photos here) If it is, it certainly seems to thrive in Brooklyn. No wonder! There seems to be a never ending supply of food around. Just look at the tasty prey on a rooftop just one block away, on Smith Street.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Read more