[birdky] RPT: Grouse Predation - Lawrence County

It's been a few weeks, but while driving along Route 32 near Martha in
Lawrence County, a red-tailed hawk flew out of the forested side of the
road just above the truck and dropped a ruffed grouse on the opposite
side of the road.  I stopped to examine the grouse.  The head and neck
and part of the back had been consumed.  The breast meat was still
intact.  Two red-tails flew back and forth between tree lines while I
was there.  I left the warm carcass in the field for the hawks to
finish.  I used to think of Cooper's hawks as the primary avian
predators of grouse in Kentucky.  My opinion changed over time as I
heard reports from others of red-tails being seen with ruffed grouse.  I
imagine that the red-shouldered hawks "hook" some grouse now and then
too during the winter months.  Barred owls certainly take a few as well.

 

Scott Freidhof

Rowan County

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