Raptors often displace other raptors from perches – it’s just something they do. But this time was a little different.
I’m not sure why they do it. I’ve wondered if it’s a way of establishing or maintaining dominance when it’s done within the same species or maybe it’s just a form of rambunctious play. When one species displaces another they don’t seem to do it in full attack mode so perhaps it’s a safer way of establishing and defending territory. Raptors displacing other raptors from perches is a behavior I see often. In fact I saw it happen twice on my last day in the field – once it was a Turkey Vulture displacing another vulture on the top of a power pole and the second incident I’ve documented below.
Three days ago I was driving a remote road in Box Elder County when a huge flock of Turkey Vultures lifted off to my right and close to the road. Soon it became apparent that one of the birds was a juvenile Golden Eagle which crossed the road in front of me. I quickly stopped my pickup and fired off a few butt shots as it cruised low over the hillside…
and then landed in the grasses too far away for quality images. The eagle soon became fixated on something to our left.
That something turned out to be an accipiter (I believe it to be a Cooper’s Hawk) perched about 150′ (my best estimate) further to my left of the eagle. The large rock was the most elevated and presumably most desirable raptor perch in the area.
Soon the eagle began making its way to the rock but it never flew, it simply walked and hopped, sometimes assisted by its wings.
It was quite a distance to walk so it took the eagle some time to get near the rock – here the rock and the Cooper’s Hawk are just out of frame to the left and the eagle was definitely giving the accipiter the evil eye.
Just as the two birds were close enough for me to get both of them in the frame the Cooper’s Hawk apparently decided that discretion was the better part of valor and vacated the perch.
But the much smaller raptor tried to show that it really wasn’t intimidated by…
flying very close to the eagle as it departed.
And sure enough, once the Cooper’s Hawk was gone the eagle claimed the rock…
and glared in the direction the accipiter had disappeared.
I don’t know why the eagle didn’t land on the rock and displace the Cooper’s Hawk in the first place. Perhaps it hadn’t seen the perched hawk until after it landed in the grass but I doubt that. It seems more likely to me that the eagle was tentative in its actions because it was young, inexperienced and just a little naïve.
Whatever the explanation it was fascinating behavior to watch.
Ron
Note: One Facebook reader says unequivocally that the accipiter is a Sharp-shinned Hawk and not a Cooper’s Hawk. He’s probably right because that person seems highly qualified to make the call and I’ve always had difficulty distinguishing between the two species.
What an amazing series of shots! You really captured some wonderful and interesting bird behavior; which I love observing the most. I too was so surprised by the size difference. Thanks for this.
I loved the images and the sequence. It was intriguing and seeing the side by side comparison of size was surprising as well. The ‘menacing’ look of the
Eagle has grit; that bone over the eye really gives the look, a powerful message.:) It must be even more vivid to see it in person. Thank you for the experience, albeit virtual.
Great story and pictures to back it up, thanks Ron.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Zaphir. Thanks.
Such a beautiful chronicle of the life of raptors. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Miriam.
So many things happen in the Great Out There that largely goes unnoticed by humans because so few are out there looking for these things. You’re out there watching and chronicling, sharing the largely unseen behaviors with kick butt images and commentary. Just OH WOW! Thank you for taking us along with you!
Thanks, Laura. As you know, all you have to do to see some neat stuff out there is pay careful attention.
Just a fun series! I love that the juvenile hopped rather than flew. Almost that blustering we see on the playground. 😀
Thank you, Arwen.
In the second to last photo the sunflower behind the eagle’s head gives it a crown!
Bird behaviour IS fascinating. And there are so many similarities with the way we behave.
Well, that’s appropriate because this eagle certainly was king of the “hill”…
This eagle’s choice of action gives new meaning to “tailgating” , but with similar results….
I ran into two of those damned tailgaters on my way to Bear River this morning.
How was Bear River today, are there still large groups of birds? I was thinking of going, but now school is in I have to catch up on the house and yard on the weekends.
April, there are still quite a few birds in some areas but most of them are further out because the water level is even lower than it was a few days ago.
Wonderful series. Observing behaviors is fascinating.
Yes, it is, April. Thanks.
I’m jealous and grateful at the same time…any image, account, of a Golden Eagle is a supreme treat for me! I can’t tell you how much I miss that bird!!! We see plenty of Bald Eagles here in the Hudson Valley, and I am very grateful that we do, but nothing lifts my heart and spirits like the goldens can…
Agreed, there’s nothing quite like a golden…!
Neat sequence Ron ! I love the immature Golden Eagle. They are one of my favorites. This one you photographed has a very smooth “chocolate” brown appearance that I really like.
Ed, I particularly noticed that “two-tone” mix of dark and light browns on the backside of the bird in that last image.
Boy! Am I jealous!!! You were so darned lucky to see that!!! I especially love the shot where that beautiful bird is wearing a golden crown…very appropriate!!!
I figured you might enjoy this series, Patty.
That was fun to watch! Thanks for the play by play. Isn’t it funny what you see when you just watch?!
Thanks for the great pictures and the story to go along with it.
Carol, when we pay attention it’s amazing how much we see out there!
I have seen exactly same behavior. ( but didn’t get great pictures like yours. )
With that new 500mm lens you’ll get-em next time, Marina!
Like Susan, I was most impressed by the very clear size-comparison between the 2 birds –I’d never realized just HOW much larger an eagle would
be than a hawk —I love the surprises and education you present almost every morning…….thanks !
When you see an image of an eagle alone it almost never makes clear how darned BIG they are, Kris.
Amazing behavioral shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Awesome images, series and story … very cool. Love the placement of the sunflowers / black-eyed susans among the tan grasses … beautiful!!!!!!!!!
Agreed, Lois, the sunflowers are a nice addition though some of them could be better placed… 🙂
Awesome. I almost felt like I was there.
The more the merrier, Cheryl!
‘Haps’ is (ahem) bird language for ‘hops’. (What’s happening to my typing fingers???
Alison..it appears that you,too, have an evil iPad, or its cousin, to deal with. They hate humans and take delight in sabotaging us whenever, and however, they can…We can’t acknowledge them. It gives them too much satisfaction and that only encourages them….We knew what you meant–in spite of its diabolical efforts!!!
I knew what you meant, Alison…
Personally, If I had the choice between displacing a competitor from a distance by glaring at it or swooping in for a confrontation, I know which one I would do! That eagle learned how much he could do with a few haps and an intent gaze…
That eagle would make a good teacher with a glare like that…a better one than I did because it at least would not crack up laughing when it glared at someone….
It most certainly was a learning experience for the young eagle, Alison.
Interesting since you’ve seen it before! This one is understandable as the view is MUCH better than in the grass but that wouldn’t explain others unless it’s just a “you have it, I want it, and I’m going to take it” thing or they automatically assume it must be a better spot! 🙂 Thx for sharing the photo’s and commentary, Ron. 🙂
Thank you, Judy.
Man, I can anthropomorphize this behavior, but not sure that would lead to our understanding of it.
However, I think that Eagles, especially Golden Eagles, sense that they are a dominant force on the landscape. Maybe he/she just wanted a better view than the grass and was going to intimidate the Cooper’s to give it up.
At any rate, these are great shots and love the post.
It’s fun to consider motivations for the behavior, isn’t it, Dick?
Clearly, that rock was the best piece of real estate around 😉
This morning’s blog was really a fun trip out on the road with you!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sharon.
Very interesting encounter. What gets me is the size differential between the two birds. I’ve always considered raptors like the Cooper’s Hawk to be good-sized birds, and despite knowing that Eagles are huge, I was surprised by how it is dwarfed by the Golden Eagle.
Yes, that size difference is impressive, Susan.