Feathered Action: Blue Jay v. Broad-winged Hawk

It’s hawk migration time here in New England. Broad-winged Hawks pass through the area in large numbers as they move from southern Canada and the eastern US to their winter homes in Central America and northern parts of South America. This is an immature Broad-winged Hawk that was perched in a tree overlooking the marsh, probably scanning for a small mammal, amphibian or reptile to grab for breakfast.

The Blue Jay perched behind him was one of two Jays that were not happy with the presence of the raptor. Broad-wings don’t typically hunt birds, but they will grab nestlings. So other birds just do not want them around. The Jays are too small to inflict any damage on the hawk. However, they can, and will, harass them to force them to move on. That is just what happened here.