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Thread: flying vole

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    Default flying vole

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    I recently witnessed this Red-tailed Hawk catch a vole, and then proceed to toss it about. It would fling the little guy into the air with its talon, over and over again, jumping as it executed each toss. This photo depicts a "flying" vole, after a particularly fine toss.

  2. #2
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    I've never seen this behavior and thought only cats do this. Thanks for sharing!

  3. #3
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    Steve- Nicely captured. I've never seen this before. If may be an example of "play" in a predator. Play is considered to give valuable practise in handling prey.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    John;

    Do you think this is an adult red tail? I wonder if this type of behaviour might be more common in juvis?

    Randy

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    Great shot Steve. I especially liked the whole sequence on your web site. I didn't know red-tailed hawks played with their food. I think this is a light phase juvenile.

  6. #6
    Bill McCrystyn
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    I saw your whole series of these and must say you got some great stand alone images. If your out and about enough these are the kid of things we get to see. Good stuff!

  7. #7
    Nathaniel Child
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    +1 for light phase juvenile due to the light eyes. Neat behavior captured

  8. #8
    david cramer
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    Wonderful behavior shot, and the slideshow is great. What fun this must have been to photograph!

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