Great black hawks are indeed highly territorial birds, as evidenced by their aggressive behaviors when defending their breeding territory. These raptors engage in various displays and actions to maintain their territory and protect their young.
Territorial Behaviors of Great Black Hawks
When returning to their breeding territory, great black hawks exhibit several territorial behaviors:
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Flight Displays: The birds perform flight displays over their territory, including slow flights, soaring high, and diving. This helps maintain the pair bond and warns other black hawks to avoid the area.
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Tandem Flights: Both the male and female great black hawks participate in these flight displays, flying in tandem, calling, and sometimes even locking or touching talons.
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Aggressive Chasing: The adults aggressively chase away most other raptors, ravens, and vultures that come too close to the nest area. They display aggressive flight behaviors and may even strike humans that approach the nest.
Protecting the Nest and Young
Image source: Great Black Hawk by Bernard DUPONT
The territorial behaviors of great black hawks serve to protect their young and ensure the survival of their offspring. Both the male and female participate in the following nest defense activities:
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Incubation and Brooding: The female great black hawk is responsible for incubating the eggs, which take 35-37 days to hatch. After the nestling hatches, the female will brood the young under her wings.
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Feeding and Tending: While the female broods the young, the male is primarily responsible for bringing food to the nest to feed the female and their offspring.
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Nest Defense: Both adults actively defend the nest area, chasing away potential predators and intruders. Their aggression toward intruders typically abates once the young are around two months old.
Nest Construction and Breeding
Great black hawks build a platform nest made of sticks, which they construct high up in an emergent tree or on power poles. The female lays a single egg, which is white with red to purplish brown markings.
After the nestling hatches, it will grow quickly, and the male will work hard to bring enough food to the nest to support the female and their offspring. This collaborative effort between the pair ensures the survival and well-being of their young, which is the primary driver of the great black hawk’s territorial behavior.
Conclusion
In summary, great black hawks are highly territorial birds that engage in various displays and aggressive behaviors to protect their breeding territory and young. Their territorial nature is a crucial aspect of their survival and the continuation of their species. By understanding the territorial behaviors of great black hawks, we can better appreciate the adaptations and strategies these raptors employ to thrive in their environment.
References:
- Maine Audubon. (n.d.). The Great Black Hawk: What Happens Now? Retrieved from https://www.maineaudubon.org/news/the-great-black-hawk-what-happens-now/
- All About Birds. (n.d.). Common Black Hawk Life History. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Black_Hawk/lifehistory
- The Peregrine Fund. (n.d.). Great Black Hawk. Retrieved from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/hawks/great-black-hawk/.
