Red-tail Hawk Brings Breakfast

This bird flew right over me on the way to the nest. Looks like he has a rabbit, wonder if he ate the head or bit it off to lighten the load? I got off a decent shot but of course the light was behind him and the sky was misty. Tried my best post processing.

Paul A wrote in post #18342935
This bird flew right over me on the way to the nest. Looks like he has a rabbit, wonder if he ate the head or bit it off to lighten the load?

I followed the website of Molly the Barn Owl when it was active. Molly, a stay-at-home mom in a nest box in a Southern California yard, had eggs and then nestlings. Her mate ate the heads of rabbits and brought the rest home. This way, he got the fatty brain, with its large supply of energy for hunting.

That's what I figured was the more likely just a bit hard to believe they can swallow the head of a rabbit. I watched a captive Collared-forest Falcon eat mice. He would grab them and bite the head off first thing.

Nice!

Yup, when you're maximizing macro-nutrients, you go for the head (brain & eyes). Birds do it, bears do it, you name it!

Very best,

Here in Okie Land we have them all over finding nest is the trick! very challenging subject ! good information on the feeding habits----thanks JD