GrrlScientist is a female evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist and writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning her PhD. In NYC, she was a postdoctoral fellow for two years, reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a science blog since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived 
tags: birds, Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, ornithology, Image of the Day
Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, in Central Park,
with blood on its talons.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George. [larger view].
Bob Levy writes;
I have two comments and images to add to my story of March 10, 2008 entitled "A Bulging Photo Opportunity" about a female juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. The first concerns a sassy if imprudent Gray Squirrel. Over a period of several minutes the furry creature deliberately came with a couple of yards of the hawk. I cannot know its motivation but to this observer it seemed that the squirrel was daring the hawk to attack. The predator paid notice to the scampering animal but did not take the bait, so to speak. The little drama played out uneventfully for hunter and potential huntee.
The other significant event that occurred was a rare demonstration of Hawk Yoga. Obviously raptors must keep fit to maintain their strenuous lifestyle but isn't it possible that sometimes they might feel the need to relieve stress just as we do? Perhaps that is why this particular hawk indulged in a series of moves that I interpreted as the familiar Yoga pose known as the Cat Stretch. After being taunted by the squirrel the young Red-tailed Hawk must have needed to unwind. Human practitioners of the art will no doubt agree.
I did not notice it myself but a friend pointed out that the hawk's talons are covered in blood. I am absolutely certain that this had nothing to do with the performance of this Yoga pose but it instead had everything to do with the meal that made the raptor's crop bulge. Until next time: don't forget to breathe and don't strain.
Comments
Was it doing yoga, or merely playing at Flamingos? The red might just have been its attempt at a pink dye.
Posted by: Bob O'H | March 23, 2008 3:16 PM
Oh, that was real blood Bob O'H.
Posted by: bob levy | March 23, 2008 9:33 PM
Hmm interesting idea, it shows that yoga is for everyone not only for people also for birds ;-) Ravidas http://www.ravidas.de
Posted by: Yoga Frankfurt | March 24, 2008 6:20 PM