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Author Topic: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!  (Read 5389 times)

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Offline JW_Halverson

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Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« on: April 10, 2012, 12:45:11 am »
Or is it a very late April Fool's joke?

This evening I went out to the redtail hawk's mew just to relax and enjoy her company.  She was keel down in her jump box in the ragged pile of sticks she calls a nest.  As I approached, she stood up and started these cute little cheeping calls.  At her feet was a gorgeous blue green egg with pale brown splotches on the larger end.


This is quite a shock!  She's 23 yrs old for crying out loud, far too old for this nonsense.  And of course, she has not been with a male redtail ever!  The egg is infertile, just like others she laid when she was younger.  We'll allow her to set the egg for a few days before we remove it.  Meanwhile, it's nice to know she is in apparent good health and spirits. 


Notice how she has her toes/talons are curled in and she is resting back on her haunches.  She is ever so careful with her precious egg. 

« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 01:08:53 am by JW_Halverson »
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Offline Sparrow

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 01:33:52 am »
That's a beautiful bird. They are one of my Favorites. Thanks for showing her.  "  Frank
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Frank (The Sparrow) Pataha, Washington

Offline Jimbob

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 01:41:41 am »
Thats cool!!!
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Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 01:57:20 pm »
That's amazing how she is holding that egg.  Kind of sad she has never been a mother.  It looks like she would be a good one.
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Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 02:02:38 pm »
That is too cool! She looks like she is in good health for 23 yrs! That is a purty bird. 
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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 05:02:57 pm »
Thanks for the pics, JW
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Offline Josh B

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 11:05:01 pm »
She's a pretty one for sure.  I didn't know a raptor could appear so gentle.  Thanks for sharing that JW.   Josh
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Offline Parnell

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2012, 12:18:38 am »
Very cool JW :)
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Offline criveraville

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2012, 02:14:01 am »
We have them here. Beautiful birds. That's a colorful egg. Thanks for showing us. What happens to the egg?

Cipriano
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 10:09:01 pm »
I'm going to poke holes in either end of the egg, blow it out, then refill it with plaster of paris.  That way she can brood it to her heart's content without it becoming a "stinkbomb". 

On Tuesday morning I went out to her mew and asked her to let me have another look.  She stepped off the nest and stood there while I picked it up and looked it over.  Blood warm in my hand and a weight far greater than it's physical mass. 

We'll let her brood the "stunt double" egg for a few weeks before we remove it.  That way she will get it out of her system. 
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Offline bubby

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2012, 06:53:03 pm »
what a cool bird, i love them hawks, proud lookin' birds, Bub
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2012, 07:00:59 pm »
I thought she was looking particularly proud this morning....and a second egg proves it!
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Offline HoBow

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2012, 01:30:48 am »
Very cool.  Thanks for sharing. 
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Jeff Utley- Atlanta GA

Offline gstoneberg

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2012, 05:23:53 am »
Quote from: JW_Halverson on April 12, 2012, 07:00:59 pm
....and a second egg proves it!
Cool, you have enough for a red-tailed omelette!   ;D

George
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Easter was a day late, -OR- the Easter Hawk is here!
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2012, 01:30:47 pm »
I'm thinking about it.  But they have been at 102 degrees under her brood patch for a few days and are infertile.  They may be a little, ahem, ripe?
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