A red-shouldered hawk in Pearland is on the defensive, and residents are feeling the swoop of its protective instincts. Texas Parks and Wildlife shared that while these hawks usually keep a cool feather around humans, they can get a bit ruffled when it's nesting season — think high-strung helicopter parent with talons.
These feathered missiles are swooping down in a local neighborhood, hoping to score a direct hit on anyone who dares to tread too close to their treetop abodes. According to photos posted by Texas Parks and Wildlife on social media, these birds mean business with their wings spread wide. They don't want trouble, they just want you off their lawn — figuratively speaking.
Turns out, this isn't Hitchcock’s "The Birds" come to life; it’s just nature doing its thing. The dive-bombing should stop in about six weeks when the chicks vacate the nest, as per CW39. Playing it safe until then means maybe taking the long way around or, oddly, accessorizing with an umbrella or hat. It's not about fashion — it's a shield from the sky.
If you're in Pearland and not a fan of becoming a hawk's target practice, wildlife experts suggest transforming yourself into a walking parade float — carry an umbrella or stick with flags as a decoy. Per advice from KHOU, these raptors tend to go for the tallest object, so make sure that's not your head. And if your daily path takes you past the nest, consider a detour until those fluffy hawklets spread their wings and fly off.
For those who'd rather not reenact these scenes next season, there's a playbook. Once the birds have cleared out, clearing out their empty nests is a start. And since these hawks and their raptor relatives are federally protected, the no-touching rule applies to active nests. Trimming trees before breeding season could also make your backyard less appealing to bird real-estate hunters.
For the full story on protective hawk behavior and how to handle your next bird encounter, visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website, which comes with tips and no risk of getting pecked at your screen.
