Anti-Predator Responses of Sharp-Shinned Hawks
ABSTRACT
Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) aggressively approached a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) model. Components of the approach included a silent flight devoid of wing motion, vocalizations, use of tarsi, multiple approaches and avoidance of the front of the model. These components were manifested in different combinations and frequencies. It is suggested that the function of attacking by this species is to drive off a larger predator and that predation upon this species by other raptors is probably more common than reported in the literature.