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Western kingbird takes on a Swainson’s hawk

June 29, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

Western kingbird takes on a Swainson’s hawk
A western kingbird chases after a Swainson’s hawk. (© Tony’s Takes)

A little bird with a ton of attitude!

Western kingbirds are notorious for their aggressiveness toward much bigger raptors. These bullies will take on any hawk or eagle that they feel is intruding on their space and this one, clearly, was not happy with the hawk’s presence.

The hawk was perched on a pole, enjoying a calm morning on the Great Plains when the kingbird decided to attack. After making multiple dives at the perched hawk, the hawk decided it had enough and departed. That wasn’t good enough for the kingbird who gave pursuit, raising a ruckus and taking swipes at the Swainson.

I’ve seen kingbirds do this to other hawks and even much larger bald eagles, they simply have no fear.

A western kingbird chases after a Swainson's hawk. (© Tony's Takes)
A western kingbird chases after a Swainson’s hawk. (© Tony’s Takes)
A western kingbird chases after a Swainson's hawk. (© Tony's Takes)
A western kingbird chases after a Swainson’s hawk. (© Tony’s Takes)

Swainson’s Hawk under siege

August 4, 2016 by Tony Leave a Comment

All this female Swainson’s Hawk wanted to do was take in the sunrise and enjoy a quiet morning. A Western Kingbird whose nest was nearby, did not care to have company however. Here, the hawk moves to a different perch, all the while being dive-bombed by the little bird. Kingbirds may be little but they can be quite aggressive and have no fear of hawks or eagles.

A Western Kingbird attacks a Swainson's Hawk in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Western Kingbird attacks a Swainson’s Hawk in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

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