A red-tailed hawk recently took up residence in Tompkins Sq. Park. It’s unclear whether it’s one of the same hawks that was in the park earlier this year, though, if it is, it’s become a much better hunter. In the photos above, taken a few weeks ago, the hawk plucked a pigeon out of the air as it flew through a tree the hawk was roosting in 50 ft. off the ground. As a crowd below watched, the hawk then tore the pigeon’s head off and dined on the carcass. The raptor also preys on squirrels, which have been assuming their anti-hawk defensive posture: standing on their hind legs and barking menacingly. However, when the hawks are perched, the tables are turned; they can no longer attack from above, and squirrels come up to them. Earlier this year, the Parks Department tried to help an adult hawk pair mate in the park by putting up a special squirrel-proof nest, but the hawks flew the coop.
