Broad-winged Hawk

This morning, I heard the birds chirping their alarms again, so I knew the hawk was still around. Sure enough, I spotted it perched on the chainlink fence, peering at the nicely mowed lawn. It wasn't admiring the artistic rows (euphemism for not straight); it was searching for food. I saw it alight to the yard and snatch up a big nightcrawler in its curved beak. It flew back to the fence, grasped the worm in its talon, and ate it in a couple of bites. 
After looking at images and descriptions of raptors, I think it's probably a Broad-winged Hawk. It does have the white band on its tail and is at home in the trees. Also, its keening call fits that of the Broad-winged Hawk. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a great website for easy bird identification that includes pics, sounds, and video.

Hawk in Backyard Video

Here's video of hawks in our backyard. As you watch, you'll see the hawks get harassed a couple of times by songbirds. I had seen and followed the first hawk for a while, even walking under where it was perched and taking photos. I was surprised to see the second hawk show up. I love our backyard.

Hawk in Backyard

A young hawk was hanging around our backyard this evening. First, I noticed the songbirds making a racket, then I heard the hawk's screechy call. From my bedroom window, I spotted it perched on the side fence. I headed outside to get a better look and it flew up into one of the oak trees. The hawk stayed around, occasionally flying to another tree, oftentimes harried by the squawking robins.