What Eats Hawks? 7 Hawk Predators (Animal Answers)
Alright, let’s dive into the world of nature and its intricacies, while answering this intriguing question:
Who’s brave enough to eat hawks? If any, what animal eats hawks? So what eats hawks? What animals eats hawks?!? What eats hawks in the food chain? Seriously, what eats a hawk?!?
We’re first going to give you a sneak peek of the gourmet list of predators that dare to have hawks as a part of their diet. Then, we’ll delve deeper into the characteristics of each of these daring creatures.
Hawks, the master hunters of the sky belonging to the Accipitridae family, come in all shapes and sizes. They call home to an array of places around the globe, be it Central America, the West Indies, or the sunny beaches of Jamaica.
The celebrity of hawk world is the red-tailed hawk – holding the crown as the most popular hawk in North America and earning worldwide fame.
These feathered fighters usually live up to 20 years, now, let’s get into what animals eat hawks and who dares to challenge them!
So, what eats hawks? what animals eat hawks?
Those brave enough to have hawks as a part of their menu include crows, coyotes, eagles, foxes, owls, raccoons, and snakes. Hawks boast a short list of natural predators, thanks to their impressive size, Herculean strength, and gift of flight.
What eats a hawk? (Hawk Predators)
Crows
You wouldn’t think it, but crows, especially the Carrion type, hold their own as pro hawk predators. They target the young and vulnerable hawks for a tasty meal.
Crows don’t just have hawks for lunch because they’re foodies; they also see them as threats. Leveraging their intelligence and playful mischief, crows have no qualms about pestering their powerful counterparts – the hawks.
While hawks seemingly have the upper hand in power, they often fall short when faced with a murder of crows (isn’t that a cool group name?).
What’s more, crows are not above using mob tactics to bully hawks and keep their posse safe.
So, when it comes to what animals eat hawks, the answer is quite surprising. Keep reading to learn more about what eats a hawk, and hawk predators.
See what Wikipedia has to say about Crows
Coyotes
Known for their less-discriminating palate, coyotes are undeniably some of the most adventurous eaters out there. Their menu ranges from grass salads to a hearty meal of animal remains.
Although they usually target smaller animals, like rabbits, these savvy hunters don’t mind adding hawks to their culinary repertoire when the opportunity arises.
However, since catching a hawk mid-flight is a bit of a challenge even for a coyote, they typically seek out young, sickly, or injured hawks grounded.
Eagles
When it comes to bird brawls, adult hawks can hold their own. But against an eagle? Not so much.
According to one NPR article, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks regularly engage in life or death battles for food.
An eagle, equipped with large hooked beaks, muscular legs, killer talons, and unmatched strength, has no problem taking down a large hawk. Their super-powered eyesight also adds to their edge.
However, despite their formidable prowess and hunting efficiency, eagles prefer to target easier prey like baby hawks.
Foxes
Foxes, the opportunistic hunters they are, will chow down on anything they can get their paws on, including hawks.
As omnivores, their diet varies from small mammals and birds to insects, fruits, berries, and even a nut or two.
Even though foxes are skilled hunters, they lack the ability to take down a flying hawk. So, they usually feast on the remains of fallen hawk warriors.
Owls
Owls, those night time hunters, love to snack on hawks when their night vision is at its peak.
Owls utilize not just their superb sight, but their directional hearing to pinpoint prey hiding in the dark, such as baby hawks tucked in their nests.
The Great Horned owl, known to eat other birds of prey like hawks, doesn’t usually list hawks as its daily meal but doesn’t mind an occasional indulgence.
Despite their sharp hunting skills and heightened senses, owls usually target baby hawks and their eggs over adult hawks. Keep reading to answer the question, “What eats a hawk?”
Raccoons
Raccoons, while seemingly innocent, are also in the running for top hawk predators.
Capable of tree-climbing, raccoons make for potential hawk predators. Easy access to trees means easy access to baby hawks, eggs, and nestlings waiting for a raccoon raid.
It’s surprising to learn that a raccoon is one of the potential hawk predators?
Snakes
Tree-climbing snakes have hawk eggs for breakfast.
Snakes make for excellent hawk nest hunters, able to slither up a tree undetected by an adult hawk.
Though red-tailed hawks are known to challenge snakes, sometimes snakes come out victorious, killing adult hawks with their venom. We think that’s one of the scariest hawk predators.
An intriguing fact about red-tailed hawks, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine: “Occasionally, if it is not venomous, Red-tailed Hawks will kill a snake by flying it up into the air and letting gravity do the work for them by dropping the snake on a hard surface.”
Who’s On the Hawk’s Menu?
Hawks, being top predators themselves, have their own list of prey.
Our other guide on what hawks eat further explores the dietary habits of these formidable fliers.
Quick Recap: Who Dares to Dine on Hawks
With all that covered, you now know the daredevils that feast on hawks in the wild and which species top the list of hawk predators.
As we’ve uncovered, a hawk has but few enemies, thanks to its large size, Herculean strength, and soaring flight.
