I found this adult redtailed hawk cowering next to an air conditioning unit on 123rd St. From the ground a bulging white shroud over its right eye was visible.
A close up.
I thought it might be a gouge or something, but when I looked at the pictures of the kestrel attack, it was clear the bird could open the eye.
It seems to be the dreaded frounce, which decimated the CCNY hawk nest last year.
Both the adult kestrels joined in an attack and drove the bird off into Morningside Park at 120th St.
I could not relocate it, but will try in the morning. RBS has posted some shots of both Cathedral parents and they seem ok. Perhaps it is a CCNY adult. Here's a gratuitous shot of one of the Cathedral youngsters.
4 comments:
James, That white covering on the hawk's left eye (viewer's right side) is just its lower eyelid. I've seen that plenty of times before when a hawk was protecting its eye from something, for example when it's using a talon to scratch.
On looking at the pix, I was more concerned about the ultra darkness on the other side, where it almost seemed there might not be an eye at all.
The nictitating membrane is usually a film white and not totally opaque as here. Also as the will sometimes close one and not the other, this one was closed for almost the entire 30 minutes I was standing there. As for the right eye, its intact, just very dark. Im still thinking frounce.
James I agree it appears to be the whole eyelid closed which is covered with fuzzy down and not the nictitating membrane . It can be a symptom of something seriously wrong such as frounce or poisoning but Ive also been alarmed by it and days later the bird acting completely normal. Only time will tell.
James I agree it appears to be the whole eyelid closed and not the nictitating membrane. It could be a symptom of something seriously wrong but I've also witnessed and been alarmed only to watch the bird days later acting completely normal. I saw it only 2 days ago with the Long Island City female hawk who sat hours in the same spot unresponsive and not feeding her single youngster and the next day flying strong and delivering food much to our suprise. Only time will tell. Hopefully just a temporary situation and she recovers completely. Bobbhy H
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