Pigeon Hawk

The PIGEON HAWK is a stocky, well-built, impetuous. miniature of the Duck Hawk which it closely resembles in color and habits. It is widely distributed but nowhere common in the United States. This is fortunate for its principal food is birds.

Many migrants from the New England States cross the Sound to Long Island, following the Great South Beach westward. I have found this Hawk most abundant there during October, pursuing the shore birds — especially Sanderlings and Ring Plovers. Strong northwest winds are prevalent along this beach in the Autumn and the Pigeon Hawks tack across the wind on their way westward and south. The short "board" is made directly into the wind's eye, then a long slant with the breeze in the quarter carries them well on their way to the westward. Sometimes a number of Hawks of different species can be seen as far as the eye can reach up and down the beach, going thru these maneuvers, crossing and recrossing each other on the different tacks.