Hawks are birds of prey, these carnivores eat a variety of prey animals. So, do hawks eat raccoons?
Yes, hawks can and do eat raccoons. Raccoons are easy prey for hawks, they forage in their habitats, unsuspecting, as hawks swoop down to kill and lift the raccoon away. Not every hawk will be able to kill an adult raccoon. Smaller hawks will prey on raccoon cubs as they are smaller and lighter.
The idea that birds can be prey animals can be hard to believe until you think of hawks. Hawks are intimidating even to humans. They are carnivores and thus only eat meat. These birds have evolved to hunt and kill in a similar way that lions and other big cats can and are a force to be reckoned with. You may have an idea of what hawks eat but their diet is vast. So do they eat raccoons?
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Do hawks eat racoons?
Hawks will eat anything dead or alive they get their claws on. They are carnivores. Many birds eat a combination of plant and animal matter but hawks only feed on meat. Raccoons are one of the meats that hawks eat.
For a hawk, a racoon is a nutritious, fitting meal. Racoons provide a great source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for hawks. Nutrients such as protein and animal fat. These nutrients sustain hawks and keep them in ti top shape. Vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and B12 offer energy and immune health. Minerals such as iron, phosphorous, potassium and selenium maintain the hawk’s strong bones and healthy feathers.
Baby racoons are born both deaf and blind. If they accidentally stray from their home or lose their way they become easy prey for hawks. Curious racoons will go out looking for treats. This makes them wide open for hawks. A racoon’s short-range vision is very good, unfortunately, their long-range vision is very poor, this makes them unaware of hawks swooping in.
That being said, hawks should be cautious too of eating racoons. Racoon round worn is a parasite specific to racoons. This parasite can enter a hawk if it eats an infected raccoon. The ASPCA advises that racoons are zoonotic creatures which are host carriers to many diseases that can be fatal to hawks. Racoons are prone to rabies and canine hepatitis making them a dangerous meal for predators, hawks included. If you want to know of foxes eat raccoons click here
How do hawks capture and eat raccoons?
Hawks use their eyesight to catch raccoons and other prey animals. These birds of prey have excellent eyesight but cannot see in the dark as other predators can. They prey on raccoons during the day when these mammals are out foraging for food.
Hawks search for their prey while being perched high up in trees. When a hawk finds its desired prey it swoops down and grabs the raccoon with its long and sharp talons. The combination of the impact and the talons digging into the raccoon’s body kills the raccoon on impact. The bird of prey will then carry the mammal elsewhere and eat it immediately or store the food in their nests to eat later.
Hawks prefer young and lightweight raccoons but won’t complain. Not all hawks can handle a racoon that weighs as much as it does. Hawks can only lift animals that are a fraction of their own weight. Smaller sharp-shinned hawks and cooper hawks steer clear from matured racoon prey. These birds can’t lift large racoons anyways. Only larger hawks prey on racoons.
That being said, a desperate hawk, regardless of its size, just might tackle a racoon or larger animal. In fact, as easier prey become scarce and their natural habitats become replaced, hawks may very well someday either go extinct or adapt and tackle larger prey.
What else do hawks eat?
Hawks are carnivores and they have their pick of different meats to eat. Their diet includes moles, squirrels, mice, rabbit, grasshoppers, birds, duck, bats, fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, ferrets, cats and dogs. All these can be a hawks meal of the day.
Hawks are making their habitats closer to human settlements. For this reason, you should take precautions. Keep an eye on your pet as it spends time outside to prevent hawk attacks.
Can a hawk pick up a 10lb dog?
That the strength of a hawk is dependent on its own strength and size. Red-tailed hawks average approximately 2lb while sharp-shinned hawks are even smaller in size and weight therefore a 10lb dog is too heavy for it to pick up and fly with.
What are hawks afraid of?
The eyes and hoots of owls creep them out. Hawks will seek other hunting grounds rather than fight an owl. Just for fun if it, owls like to knock sleeping hawks from their perch leaving them stunned and confused. Even owl decoys can be used to scare hawks away.
Conclusion
Hawks can and do eat racoons. Raccoons are a nutritious meal for hungry hawks. That being said, now all hawks can prey on raccoons. Some hawks are too small to do that.
Endangered birds of prey hawks hunt insects and small animals that are smaller than them. Hawks will also eat other animals such as moles, squirrels, mice, rabbit, grasshoppers, birds, duck, bats, fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, ferrets, cats and dogs. And they are scared of owls.
Let’s, be fair hawks must eat too and as endangered birds of prey that used to be hunted for fun, any undue harm to them will get you jail time or several fines. So, be aware, but also be kind.
