Hawks are amazing birds of prey that can sometimes be seen hunting in suburban backyards. If you want to encourage hawks to visit your yard, offering them an easy meal is a good way to do it. However, hawks have very specific dietary requirements that must be met in order for them to remain healthy. This article will discuss what you can and cannot feed backyard hawks, along with tips for safely feeding these raptors.
What Do Hawks Eat?
In the wild, hawks eat a diet composed almost exclusively of small animals. Their preferred prey includes:
- Rodents – mice, voles, rats, squirrels, chipmunks
- Birds – sparrows, robins, jays, doves
- Reptiles – snakes, lizards
- Amphibians – frogs, toads
- Insects – grasshoppers, crickets, beetles
- Fish
They capture this prey live and consume it whole. Hawks have powerful talons for catching and killing prey and sharp, hooked beaks for tearing flesh. They cannot chew or digest plant material efficiently.
Why Can’t Hawks Eat Bread or Seed?
Many people think that hawks can subsist on a diet of bird seed or bread crumbs, but this is incorrect.
Bread and seed offer little nutritional value to hawks. Bread products provide only empty carbohydrates. Seeds are difficult for hawks to digest.
Bread and seed may also cause:
- Malnutrition – Hawks need animal protein and fat.
- Blockages – Indigestible food can obstruct a hawk’s digestive tract.
- Angel wing – An abnormal wing growth caused by poor nutrition.
- Increased predation – Well-fed hawks spend less time hunting naturally.
- Dependence – Hawks may become reliant on human handouts.
For optimum health, hawks require whole animal prey.
Good Foods For Hawks
Feeding hawks live prey is illegal in many areas. However, there are several animal-based food items that can legally be fed to backyard hawks in moderation.
Store-Bought Frozen Rodents
Frozen mice, rats, and chicks can be purchased at many pet food stores and reptile specialty shops. Thaw the rodents prior to feeding according to package directions. Feed sparingly, as they are high in fat. Do not leave uneaten portions out, as they can spoil quickly.
Advantages:
- Nutritionally complete whole prey item
- Convenient – no hunting required
Disadvantages:
- Potential for dependence
- Risk of disease transmission
Raw Meat Scraps
Uncooked meat scraps provide excellent nutrition for hawks. Turkey, chicken, rabbit, venison, and beef are all appropriate. Cut or tear meat into pieces smaller than the size of the hawk’s head. Avoid processed meats containing salt, nitrates, or spices.
Advantages:
- Very nutritious
- Usually inexpensive and easy to obtain
Disadvantages:
- Can spoil quickly in warm temperatures
- May attract other predators like dogs or coyotes
Whole Fish
Small bait fish or aquarium fish can be fed to hawks. Use wild-caught fish whenever possible. Thaw frozen fish prior to feeding.
Advantages:
- Excellent source of protein and fat
Disadvantages:
- Not all hawks will accept fish
- Can be difficult to acquire in some areas
How to Feed Hawks
When feeding hawks, follow these tips to prevent harm:
- Feed in moderation – Offer just enough for the hawk to eat at one time, 1-2 pieces per feeding. Don’t leave large piles of food out.
- Avoid processed meats and bones – These can cause choking or internal punctures.
- Never feed out of your hand – You don’t want hawks to become comfortable approaching people.
- Discontinue if hawks seem uninterested – Some individuals will not accept supplementary food sources.
- Wash hands before and after feeding – Use gloves if you wish.
- Remove uneaten food remains promptly.
Here is a table summarizing appropriate hawk feeding practices:
| Foods to Offer | Foods to Avoid | Feeding Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen rodents | Bread | Use gloves/wash hands |
| Raw meat scraps | Seeds | Feed in moderation |
| Whole fish | Cooked/processed meats | Don’t allow dependence |
Alternative Feeding Options
If feeding hawks directly is not possible or desirable in your situation, there are a couple alternatives to consider:
Bird Feeders
Well-stocked bird feeders will attract smaller birds that hawks prey on naturally. Sparrows, doves, blackbirds, and other species that gather at feeders provide easy targets for hunting hawks. Maintain clean, well-stocked feeders without restrictive cages around them.
Advantages:
- Promotes natural hunting behaviors for hawks
- Little direct interaction with humans needed
Disadvantages:
- Hawks may take birds you want to attract as well as pest birds
- Requires larger yard space
Establishing Prey Habitats
Providing good habitats for rodents, reptiles, and amphibians in your yard will also help attract hawks. Features like brush piles, rock gardens, and mulched beds provide cover and resources for prey animals that hawks hunt.
Advantages:
- Promotes self-sustaining food source
- Good for local ecosystem
Disadvantages:
- Prey animals may be considered pests by some
- More difficult to control
Conclusion
With proper care, feeding hawks can be an enriching activity. Stick to nutritious animal proteins and feed in moderation to prevent dependence. Be sure to comply with all wildlife feeding regulations in your area. If supplemental feeding does not work, providing hawk prey habitats or bird feeders are great alternatives. Enjoy observing these amazing raptors hunt and soar in your backyard!
