Will a Hawk attack a Macaw?

Birdbrain91

New member
Dec 6, 2013
200
0
Denver, Colorado
Parrots
Apollo (A bossy YSGCC) Cleo (Sun Conure) Wesley (B&G Macaw)
It was so nice outside so I decided to take Wesley out for a little walk. We only got 2 houses away and I saw a Red Tail Hawk soaring around low (I could see the spots on his chest). I held him very close to me and put my arm around him and headed home.

The hawk perched on a house but did nothing. It just got me thinking would a hawk attack a macaw? We usually have them around and come May the Swainsons Hawk will be back.

I plan on taking him outside with me this summer so I bought a 2nd cage for him so he can safely be out with us. It is just like the one inside 3x4 dome top with 1 inch bar spacing. Is that too wide for outside I would hate for a hawk to get his foot in there and hurt Wesley.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Thanks for your input.
 

MomtoPercy

New member
Nov 15, 2013
1,816
Media
1
1
South Africa
Parrots
Percy, a 5yo BFA & Jack, a 8yo Budgie
I would think a hawk that's hungry enough and 'tame' enough (living in populated area, used to humans, dogs, etc) would be bold enough to attack almost anything. I've heard of someone whose little dog was snatched by a hawk, right in their garden.
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
We've heard stories of small dogs and cats... I can't remember if it was here or on another forum, but read a horror story of someone putting their bird out on their porch in a smaller cage for some sun and not sure what type of raptor, but a bird of prey, took the cage and all. Granted it wasn't a macaw or large cage, but Momtopercy has a great point, even if the macaw is large, a hawk that has become so immune to people would be a threat.

We have the same fear about taking Ivory out. My husband has remote planes and I think that will be the only time I'll take her out, between being in a very large open field with no place for the hawk to perch and a plane buzzing around, thats about the only way I'd be confident or not constantly be checking the skies!!

Good luck and be safe!!!!
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
I think he would be safe in a locked cage. Even if a hawk did manage to stick it's foot in, it's going to have another thing coming with a macaw who can strike from the safety of the cages interior. As for being out of the cage, I wouldn't if you know a hawk is in the area. Macaws are big and may be able to defend themselves, but why even risk it. We used to let Kiwi run in the grass back in Arizona, but we never saw any predatory animals around where we lived so we felt it safe with very close (hovering over him) supervision. Unfortunately, I have seen a hawk around the neighborhood here, so he will only be able to go out in a cage this summer :( Always better safe than sorry.
 

DanR

New member
Jan 23, 2014
112
0
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Tango - WBC
Even small hawks will attack: [ame=http://youtu.be/5yRoOyMnzg0]Krestrel hawk dives at Camelot macaw - YouTube[/ame]
 
OP
B

Birdbrain91

New member
Dec 6, 2013
200
0
Denver, Colorado
Parrots
Apollo (A bossy YSGCC) Cleo (Sun Conure) Wesley (B&G Macaw)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Wow!!! I can't believe a hawk took the cage.

That's what I was afraid of. Do you think the cage would be ok if I was close to it. How do people take their birds out for some sun and fresh air?
 

DanR

New member
Jan 23, 2014
112
0
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Tango - WBC
The problem is that Macaws aren't used to these kinds of birds, so they don't have the instinct to react and defend against a surprise attack from a hawk or eagle that tend to dive in out of nowhere. I happen to be reading about this very thing last night when I was wondering about the exact same thing for my smaller parrot. All it takes is one solid talon attack...
 

labell

New member
Feb 17, 2014
1,988
5
East
I sit out with them, never for any reason leaving them unattended.
I have a yorkie and a very large standard poodle they were both out last week going potty when I noticed a hawk swooping low, it had it's eyes on my yorkie and I ran out the back door to get them both in. I do believe it was my poodle that kept the hawk from coming in closer.:eek:
 

thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
It's unlikely they would attack if you're with your bird, but I wouldn't leave him/her outside unattended.
 

CrazyEyes

Banned
Banned
Feb 15, 2014
68
0
Florida
Parrots
Tikki-Mustache Parakeet, Beaker-Sun Conure, Bongo-B&G Macaw
my money is on the macaw. although the video shows a hawk diving for a macaw it is only showing a territorial behavior. like when mocking birds chase off the crows around here.

this doesn't mean I would want to take a chance at having any bird injured though........
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
The bird and cage that was taken was way smaller then a macaw, can't remember bird, but I do remember it was soft side type of cages you can buy just for the purpose of putting small birds outside. But the overall object (cage and bird) would be the size of a macaw. A macaw in a 3x4 cage won't be going anywhere!!! And he would have room to move far enough away in the cage to avoid a hawk attacking thru the bars. So in a cage, think your guy is safe, my worry was more him out and about. While a macaw can do some damage, they are not birds of prey, even if he is much larger then the hawk, the damage that could be done by their beaks and talons would be instant and horrible.

Victoria and I went on a couple hawk walks when we were in Ireland last year. We took out a harris hawk, which is not a huge hawk, attached are a few pics, but you can see the beak and talons, they are designed for ripping and tearing.

And that video of the person with the macaws... I would be in such a state of panic, can't imagine thinking it was cool my beloved bird just evaded a hawk!!! Sorry, off topic...

Here are some Harris Hawk pics... and Mary was a smaller Harris hawk, he mother was much larger then her and then they had a male that was really more bulkier then either female.





 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Hawks or Eagles will not hesitate to attack any pet parrots! It doesn't matter if its big or small. Even if your watching them they can swoop in to grab and go. I've heard too many stories like it. Someone with a cockatoo on a play stand outside and a hawk swoop in and took the bird right in front of them.
 

getwozzy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
7,218
7
Oregon


WOWWWW!!!! So scary!!!!! I commend the trainer for her bravery and rolling into the hit to protect Scooter- I hope she didn't sustain too many injuries :(

We have red tails that are in my backyard every day, along with several other birds of prey- they are so used to being around people, they won't even flinch if a car drives past while sitting on a fence....I would not put it past them to snatch any bird regardless if there's a person there or not. :eek:
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
YES IT MOST CERTAINLY WILL...

About half a dozen years ago, a friend of mine was hiking in the Berkeley Hills with his out and about trained greenwing on his shoulder.

A red tailed hawk swooping in from above and behind grabbed it by the neck and took it right off his shoulder!!!

NOTHING PARANOID ABOUT IT!
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I sit out with them, never for any reason leaving them unattended.
I have a yorkie and a very large standard poodle they were both out last week going potty when I noticed a hawk swooping low, it had it's eyes on my yorkie and I ran out the back door to get them both in. I do believe it was my poodle that kept the hawk from coming in closer.:eek:

My neighbor in Hercules, CA lost a mini-doberman to a red tailed hawk...

during nesting season in California, when they had chicks to feed, the hawks were extremely aggressive. The rest of the year they weren't as aggressive, but you had to be aware of them when they were around.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
my money is on the macaw. although the video shows a hawk diving for a macaw it is only showing a territorial behavior. like when mocking birds chase off the crows around here.

this doesn't mean I would want to take a chance at having any bird injured though........

You'd lose your money.

The hawk is faster, and more maneuverable in the air. Chances are a pet macaw would not be in a position to defend itself. The hawk wins that one every time. The swoop speed of a hawk is somewhere around 80 mph...
 
Last edited:

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
As for the territorial thing, if you get too close to a nest, they will go after you.

I have an old dented skydiving helmet that I keep as a souveneer. There was a male sharp shinned hawk, who had a female on eggs somewhere out in our alternative landing area at Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA...

I got a long spot and had to land out. As I was gathering up my parachute lines, I felt and heard a thump on the back of my head. It was the friggin' HAWK hitting me!

Thank god I still had my helmet on because he hit it hard enough to crack the shell, and put a dent in it! (BET HIS TALON HURT AFTER THAT ONE TOO!)

A couple of other people weren't that lucky. About a week later, he went after a chute, and ripped a gash in it, which really messed up someone's landing, and ruined an $1,100 parachute...

Another guy got a bad gash on his shoulder which required stitches. "Landing out" was not advisable during nesting season.
 
Last edited:
OP
B

Birdbrain91

New member
Dec 6, 2013
200
0
Denver, Colorado
Parrots
Apollo (A bossy YSGCC) Cleo (Sun Conure) Wesley (B&G Macaw)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
Jenpilly: those are great photos thanks for sharing them.

That is scary!!! The scariest part is that was a trained raptor ( if you can train a raptor) and its not like a Moluccan is a small bird.

Supervised cage time and a broom handy just in case.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top