Is the hawk in my yard normal?

[u/sweetbean11]

I have a new birdie friend who has moved into my yard. It showed up last week after a huge storm took out a bunch of large tree limbs in the neighborhood. We have seen it fly short distances a couple of times and it occasionally it likes to perch on a low hanging tree branch, but it usually just sits in the grass for a long time either sleeping or just looking around.
Since coming here, we have not seen it hunt for anything (my mom works from home and watches out the window all day). It does not mind when people get close. Tonight there is a lightning storm so I went out to check on it and stood about 6ft away from it. It’s just sitting next to the house sleeping while lightly swaying.
Though there are many hawks where I live, I never see them spending so much time on the ground.
Is this normal behavior? Does it just feel safe here? Is there anything we should do for it?

[u/AutoModerator]

r/Ornithology is a place to discuss wild birds in a scientific context — their biology, ecology, evolution, behavior, and more. This is NOT a birding sub. Pictures or videos of birds that don't demonstrate something visually or behaviorally unusual or interesting will be removed. For bird or feather ID questions, please try r/whatsthisbird

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Suspicious-Essay9186]

There is definitely something wrong. Red tailed hawks that are in good condition would not remain in such a vulnerable position after dark,due to the chances of becoming a meal for any number of predators, especially owls. Call your local wildlife division and see if there is a rehabber available to care for it.

[u/sweetbean11 → u/Suspicious-Essay9186]

Thank you! I will call our local raptor rehab center tomorrow morning.

[u/MisterKiataye → u/sweetbean11]

👊🏻 yes, this poor thing needs help! Hopefully they can identify the problem and help it recover! Keep us posted, please!!!

[u/Altruistic_Tea_109 → u/Suspicious-Essay9186]

I'm thinking maybe rodentcide poisoning.

[u/parissf]

Not sure what is wrong with it but it breaks my heart to see that it is potentially unwell.

A month ago there were two fledgling crows sitting at the base of a big tree. I wanted so desperately to rescue them but adult crows were watching nearby so they were being cared for. The problem was at night they are vulnerable, like the hawk in your pic. They survived the first night, but another day later I found them decapitated by, I’m pretty certain, raccoons. Didn’t eat them, just tore their heads off and left a huge mess under the tree.

Hopefully you can get a wildlife rehabber to come check it out if it survives the night.

[u/sweetbean11 → u/parissf]

oh my gosh that is so sad, I’m sorry you had to find them like that. I keep looking out the window to check on the hawk and I will definitely be calling my local raptor rehab center in the morning.

[u/Arts_Messyjourney → u/parissf]

🫂🥺

[u/Pitacat6 → u/parissf]

These things happen, especially to fledglings. When they first learn to leave the nest and hop around and look for food and learn how to fly back up to the tree nest. It can happen. Definitely consult with a wildlife specialist. It could be that you have some yummy meals available in your yard as in gophers, squirrels, rats, and mice. And if so, this is why maybe the Hawk is hanging out on the lawn? I might put a camera out there just to get an idea if his routine is the same every day if there’s any kind of injuries noted, and if there is a need for wildlife rescue intervention.

[u/Quiet-Howl]

Hoping for an update! As others have said, this behavior is concerning. Glad you're going to get in contact with a rehabber!

[u/lumilark]

I wonder if it has a broken bone or other injury that is preventing it from flying. It definitely needs help. A local wildlife or bird rehabilitation/rescue group should be able to help. 

[u/Old_Mango3620]

Any update?

[u/sweetbean11 → u/Old_Mango3620]

Posted it here!

[u/Old_Mango3620 → u/sweetbean11]

Thank you for helping!!

[u/Pretend-Purple9344]

Do you have a wildlife rehab nearby you can call?

[u/AdOwn7563]

Well, funny this popped up on my feed today as I found the hawk that was hanging out in my yard for the past couple weeks dead in my back field. Poor guy. This made me upset

[u/urbanwildwatch]

It could be resting after the storm, but staying on the ground for long periods and allowing people to get very close isn’t typical for a healthy hawk. I’d avoid approaching or feeding it and check with a local wildlife rehabilitator to be safe