Stressed Red Tail Hawk
What Happened To My Tail?
Red Tail Hawk, with Stress Molt Tail
I've spent some time, birding, and shooting images of various birds.
I've heard and seen many birds molt, that process where the lose a set of feathers, during spring, or when going from juvenile, to Immature, to Adult. Sometimes, it's an easy process, sometimes, it's a stressful one.
Above, a Red Tailed Hawk, without Tail Feathers!
When I first saw this raptor, it was far off to the side, and all I saw was a silhouette. The silhouette looked like an owl, so, I pulled the car over, and grabbed the camera. After all, I was on a specific trip with camera for a Short-Earred Owl.
Out of the car, and camera on the bird, I realized, no... not an owl, it's my Spirit Bird!
I shot a few dozen, and kept watching. he was flying, tree to tree, but never more than say, 25 -30 feet (about 8 to 10 meters)> he could get up to trees, down to the ground, and back to a perch. Seemed otherwise ok, except no tail.
Whatever caused the bird to stress, and then molt ALL the tail feathers at once, well, we will probably never know... Usually a molt happens a few feathers at a time, particularly on flight control surfaces, such as wing tips and tails. Otherwise, it affects flight, and control.
I follow quite a large number of biologists, birders, and wildlife photographers, and many have seen this same individual over the past couple weeks. He seems to be hunting, eating and resting well, so, high hopes for his ling term survival.
Always, I strive to give back
To the animals and birds around me
to put more plants in than I take out
And be a good steward for the world around me!
I've heard and seen many birds molt, that process where the lose a set of feathers, during spring, or when going from juvenile, to Immature, to Adult. Sometimes, it's an easy process, sometimes, it's a stressful one.
Above, a Red Tailed Hawk, without Tail Feathers!
What? No Tail?
When I first saw this raptor, it was far off to the side, and all I saw was a silhouette. The silhouette looked like an owl, so, I pulled the car over, and grabbed the camera. After all, I was on a specific trip with camera for a Short-Earred Owl.
Out of the car, and camera on the bird, I realized, no... not an owl, it's my Spirit Bird!
I shot a few dozen, and kept watching. he was flying, tree to tree, but never more than say, 25 -30 feet (about 8 to 10 meters)> he could get up to trees, down to the ground, and back to a perch. Seemed otherwise ok, except no tail.
Whatever caused the bird to stress, and then molt ALL the tail feathers at once, well, we will probably never know... Usually a molt happens a few feathers at a time, particularly on flight control surfaces, such as wing tips and tails. Otherwise, it affects flight, and control.
I follow quite a large number of biologists, birders, and wildlife photographers, and many have seen this same individual over the past couple weeks. He seems to be hunting, eating and resting well, so, high hopes for his ling term survival.
To the animals and birds around me
to put more plants in than I take out
And be a good steward for the world around me!
All Photos by Bluefin Studios.
seems he's overcoming and adapting.. love the shot
Adapt! Overcome!
Very cool photos! Wow!!! 😎
@tipu curate
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Wow, that is very unusual to see. I love the Hawks and see them all the time. They are one of my spirit animals too. ♥
I've not seen the stress molt. I've seen them molt a few feathers here or there.
It was so jarring to see this guy with no tail!
When I first saw your photo, I thought, oh wow who caught that bird and almost did him in.