Hawks
HawksMajor Groups of the Animal
The major group that hawks belong to is the bird group. Hawks
have wings and feathers to fly. Which all are characteristics of birds.
The hawk has eyes on the sides of its head so it can see all around,
similar to a normal bird. The differences between the hawk and other
birds is that the hawk is a bird of prey. “Birds of prey” or raptors
make their living by hunting, killing, and consuming live animals.
They are at the top of the ecological food chain which makes the hawk
a top consumer.
Evolution
The hawk is closely related to all birds of prey. Any bird that
makes its living by hunting, killing, and consuming live animals has a
characteristic similar to the hawk. Even though owls are not related
to eagles, falcons, and vultures they have similar hunting habits and
similar equipment for catching and killing - sharp, hooked beaks, and
strong, sharp, curved toenails or talons. Owls are nocturnal for the
most part and the others hunt during the day. Hawks evolved from
raptors which also were birds of prey. Hawks evolved with eagles
and falcons mainly but also with some other birds as well.
Habitat and Biome
Hawks live in all different habitats. Some in the foothills of the
mountains while others live in the brushy open country and badlands
of Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and South-central
California. Also in North and Central America for a more wide
variety of hawks. Its biome would be in the Deciduous area as well as
the Grassland and parts of the desert.
Tropic Level/Niche
The hawk is at the top of the ecological food chain. It is the top
consumer of the food chain. Nothing eats it because it is at the highest
level. The hawk eats almost everything and anything that is living.
From starlings and sparrows and pigeons and quail to reptiles and
amphibians. Even ground squirrels and field mice. Almost all rodents
along with fish which are eaten by certain kinds of hawks. The hawk
lives amongst the tallest trees in the woods. They plant their nest very
high up so they can keep a close lookout on everything that is going
on. It also helps to have the nest high to keep predators away from
the hawks young.
Feeding and Defense Adaptations
Hawks are not nocturnal, like the owl, but only come out during
the day to hunt. What a hawk does to get food is to soar very high up
in the sky peering down in the fields and grasslands looking for
something to eat weather it be a mouse or a chipmunk or even a
snake. Some hawks will chase down birds such as pigeons or
sparrows. With the hawks great maneuvering skills, it can chase its
prey through trees and bushes. The hawk uses its talons to protect
itself and its young. Humans are the predators which rarely effect the
hawk and its life. We usually kill it by destroying the hawks habitat
indirectly. Its young may be in the tree that...
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