Is this a Swallow Tail Hawk?

Day before yesterday, two hawks appeared that were absolutely beautiful. I have one picture of one sitting in a tree and the other flying... (boy was it hard to catch). I wish I had a better camera, one with a zoom. Anyway, this is the picture I got that was the best so far. They were attacking baby birds in our pecan tree. It broke my heart, as the babies were "crying" and the mama's were circling the hawk and trying to attack it... which was an impossible mission. The hawk was eating what it had in it's feet and when it would drop a "particle" would dive down and catch it. Truly amazing to watch, but hearing the babies broke my heart. I understand that creatures eat creatures to survive.... but I cried. It was so sad to hear. Can you definitely identify this as a swallow tail? And is that normal for them to eat the baby birds?

Yep...Swallow-tailed Kite.

Kites are a sub-division of hawks. They are generally very good at soaring but don't have especially strong feet so aren't real good at capturing and killing large prey. The Swallow-tailed Kite is one of the few raptors that feed "on the wing" ...often do not perch or go to the ground to eat.

This kite is one of the world's most beautiful birds.

Their normal diet includes lizards, large insects and other easy-to-kill critters (sorry)

This message was edited Aug 30, 2007 9:59 AM

Definitely a STK.

So sorry of your experience, I'm sure it was heart wrenching. I know I would be crying too.

I remember several years ago walking a dog past a large Cabbage Palm where a flock of Grackles were attacking a pair of Mockingbirds. As some kept the adults busy, others would land and grab the babies and take off. Heartbreaking....but all part of nature.

It would be heartbreaking to hear those babies. I have heard same from eagles taking prey.
It is a beautiful picture of this bird though. I have never seen one. Thanks for posting.

Beautiful bird. I've never seen one before seeing your picture. It couldn't have been easy to find him in the view finder.

Brugie... you are right on that one.... I took like 20 shots... and only had a couple with the bird actually in the picture.. hahaha. mostly just sky!!!! I did get this one... if you look at the very top of the tree.. you will see him sitting in the tree. It's the pecan tree that the babies were in that they were getting... All I have is a digital camera and I wish i had something better with the lens and all, but it did take a pretty good picture!!!