Hawk Behavior(I think it was a hawk?)

[norcalsurfer]

Well I've never been into birds.. even though I've admired some in the ocean of Northern California. Anyways I stepped outside of the surf shop I work at this morning and across the freeway there was a huge tree with a hawk perched on it. I think it was a hawk I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure. It dived a little ways down the tree and then came back up over and over again. Then another hawk joined it, and then another. The three were following each other in a circle, it looked like the tree was juggling three hawks. Then two of them flew away suddenly and one stayed. It was so strange I can't get it out of my head so I registered and posted here in hopes that someone can shed light on what they were doing. It must be behavioral but there seems to be a lack of that kind of information on the web, at least as far as I've searched.

[Michael Frankis]

My guess would be a territorial dispute - a third bird 'invading' the territory of a breeding pair, ending up with one of the pair 'escorting the intruder off the premises' while the other stayed home on guard duty.

Welcome to the forums, by the way!

Michael

[esmondb]

Sounds quite a lot like Harris Hawks

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Esmond,

Harris Hawks don't get into California, they're in Texas, Arizona & Mexico southward. My guess would be Red-shouldered Hawk or Red-tailed Hawk

Michael

[Beverlybaynes]

Norcal, is it possible to get any description of the birds? Like a white belly with a darker belly band? Or anything?

[norcalsurfer]

Beverly I know they all were the same kind of hawk, but I was pretty far away. I was looking for a red-tail since I've heard that is mostly whats around here but I couldn't even see that. The territorial thing makes sense, although they didnt look agitated it was so rhythmic like they were playing or something. I appreciate the feedback maybe I'll see them again now that I know where to look and learn more..

[Beverlybaynes]

And if you do see them again, Norcal, we'd love to hear about it!