As urban and suburban sprawl continues to spread across Georgia, red-shouldered hawks are being seen more of near our homes.  When homeowners see one nearby, they often become concerned that the avian predator poses a threat to the birds attracted to their feeders, dogs, or cats.

       In truth, since red-shouldered hawks usually consume nothing larger than a squirrel or rabbit, unless your feline and canine pets are extremely small, they are safe from harm.  While red-shouldered hawks do eat mammals, voles, and chipmunks are their preferred prey.  In addition, they will also catch and consume fish, frogs, crayfish, cotton rats, large insects, worms, shrews, and birds.

      These hawks only occasionally eat birds.  When they are able to catch them, they are most likely house sparrows, European starlings, or mourning doves.  The list of other birds sometimes eaten includes Carolina wrens, northern cardinals, and American robins.

      If you do see a red-shouldered hawk swoop down from its perch, it is always possible it is trying to catch a rat feeding on the spilled birdseed beneath a feeder.  Most folks would be upset if such proved to be the case.