Hawk

[Lap Princess]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

I say don't underestimate them because if they perceive an opportunity they can do real damage with those talons. A lot of what they told me was because their talons and beaks harbor some really nasty germs that would cause terrible infections even if the prey weren't killed.

Wish I knew how to post the pictures of those talons, They are very impressive.

Yes those talons are impressive weapons. The halux (the rear talon) is what they kill with. You likely had a large female red-tail, yorkiemini, that attacked your Calli. Here's a pic of a red-tail foot.

[yorkiemini]

Yep, that is what they told me it was

[kjc]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

I was told by some bird experts that birds can see color and orange stands out. So, I inverted a pumpkin/costume/vest and wrote Mandie's name on it in shiny glitter glue and I glued a couple of the reflective strips to it. You can see pics of it in another thread. Here is the link to that post with my pics:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/4157407-post36.html

Now, I did a lot of research and we have a Raptor Center here at Auburn University. I watched some videos and I learned that a raptor bird can NOT pick up anything over 1/2 it's own weight. Hawks weigh around 3 to 4 lbs and Owls weigh 5 or 6 lbs.

With that said, they will do what they need to do when hungry and desparate. They will slam their talons (sharp and deadly all by themselves) into the back/spine of a prey they have targeted. They may even TRY to pick it up and get a little off the ground before dropping it if it's too heavy.

Technically, they don't drop the prey on purpose to kill it. They are trying to take off with it but it's too heavy and they can't. However, the force of slamming into a small animal's spine is deadly in and of itself. It can break the back. The talons are long and sharp and puncture the body...wounding the prey badly or killing it if punctured in the right spot. Finally, trying to fly off but dropping it to the ground can finish everything off.

So, while a hawk or even an owl can't physically fly off with my 6 1/2 lb Yorkie (or even my 4 lb Yorkie when she was younger), they can and will if hungry enough kill my Yorkie. All it takes is the above mentioned. Then, they just eat where the prey falls if they are allowed to do so.

Bottom line, in desperation, any wild animal is dangerous and we should always be vigilant. Living scared (which I did for a few months) is useless and not good for the dog who loves to be outside. But you can live smart.

As for reflective strips on the harness, I really don't take Mandie for walks. We have such a large yard, I just let her run with her brother out there. BUT, thought I'd end on a slightly humerous note: My mother suggested (when I was trying to come up with the right thing to deter the birds) the following:

Couldn't you just get several helium balloons and tie them to her harness?

Haha! I was thinking the same as your Mom... with like the reflective Bday balloons... too funny. If you tie enough of them on, it would be good to avoid large dogs too. Take your Yorkie for a fly instead!

Well, I spent almost an entire day on a raptor forum... you think these threads on YT get hot...lol. I do appreciate your research, but I prefer to err on the side of safety and keep my dogs safe and alive. I respect educated people and their research, but I'm just not ready to accept their findings at this point in time...

Also I helped to rehab a few owls, and one Bald Eagle... as for weight it really depends on the species, they are amazingly light for their size. Their feet have no problem encompassing my forearm and they have an excellent grip (through a leather glove).

I'm thinking too a study or aerodynamics and physics would be needed as simply put, things that are moving fast have more force behind them.

I also live on the water, and watched a heron catch a fish and then proceeded to throw the fish on the rocks (at least 15-20 times) until the fish quit moving. They usually swallow fish whole so I'm not sure why this was done.

I have seen a hawk catch a fish by diving into the water feet first and coming up with the fish in it's talons. Don't know the weights involved, but the proportions.... looked to be a 12 in long fish and the bird did struggle to fly off with it.

Dog Survives Hawk Attack, Racks Up $6000 Vet Bill | Life With Dogs

!!EAGLE DROPS DEAD DEER ON POWER LINE !! - YouTube

golden-eagle-drags-goats-off-cliff - YouTube

Dog Survives After Being Snatched by Owl - YouTube

[Lap Princess]

Whoah, that Golden Eagle was badass!!!!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Lap Princess

Whoah, that Golden Eagle was badass!!!!

Yes... and I don't believe for one minute that that was not intentional!

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by kjc

I respect educated people and their research, but I'm just not ready to accept their findings at this point in time...

Those videos are awesome! The educated people at the Auburn University Raptor Rehabilitation Center are pretty educated. I don't think their views or any findings about if the birds can or can't carry a dog contradicts errr'ing on the side of safety.

I think we are all pretty much saying, these birds can and will kill so keep your pups safe.

I do just that. Vigilantly. I just refuse to be held captive by fear and not let Mandie have fun outside. Just means I am even that more "watchful".

[Lap Princess]

They are very intelligent and strategic.

[Bellabean]

Oh wow!!!

[SWHouston]

Originally Posted by Bellabean

OMG!!! Standing in my backyard with my Bella and a HUGE hawk swooped right down at her! Scared me to death!

I'm not saying be any less carful, but, there are a few Yorkies mentioned on this Forum, who watch for such an event. Daring a Hawk to enter "their" territory

If I remember correctly, it's...
Yorkies = 3
Hawks = 0

[Lap Princess]

Dude, i wouldn't count on that!

[BellarousasMom]

Hawks are protected they can also see up to 2 miles. They are amazing creatures, but aren't friendly around our babies. I've had Bella and Jackson in the ex-pen outside when two hawks where flying around and my yard. So I ran over and picked them up and took them inside. I agree we are encroaching on their areas, it's to bad, so they do have to do what they have to do I guess.

[yorkiemini]

"I was told by some bird experts that birds can see color and orange stands out."

Soooo..... Does this mean they are repelled by this color or drawn to the color?

[Schmidtey]

About a week after bringing Schmidtey home I looked out one of my windows facing my backyard and was shocked to see a large hawk standing on top of an adult rabbit. The hawk was hitting the rabbit repeatedly with his beak while the rabbit wiggled underneath it. About a minute later the hawk flew away with the rabbit... I sat there in shock thinking of how my puppy weights less than that rabbit!

[yorkiemini]

Originally Posted by Schmidtey

About a week after bringing Schmidtey home I looked out one of my windows facing my backyard and was shocked to see a large hawk standing on top of an adult rabbit. The hawk was hitting the rabbit repeatedly with his beak while the rabbit wiggled underneath it. About a minute later the hawk flew away with the rabbit... I sat there in shock thinking of how my puppy weights less than that rabbit!

OMG
What a horrible thing to witness! It does bring back the discussion that these hawks can be a problem for our babies and diligence is required.
Keep your furbaby safe!