Will a red tail hawk prey on a house cat?

Answer 1

Answer

Oh yes and small dogs, other small animals.

A hawk the size of a red-tail won't have the capacity of carrying off a 5-10 lb house cat (the bird it's self weighs no more than the cat and, as a rule, flying creatures can generally only carry about half their weight in flight, with some variation) . Even the gigantic Harpy Eagle, with 5 inch talons and a wingspan that can reach 8 feet...usually only targets monkies and sloths in the 10-20 lb range, though some kills as large as 30 lbs have been observed.

As you'd imagine, being an aerial predator has some advantages (flight) and disadvantages (you can't carry much weight and still remain in flight- to even evolve the ability to fly, animals had to lose HUGE amounts of weight and develop hollow bones).

That said...a small hawk won't carry a grown cat away, but make no mistake, the impact of an animal hitting you claws-first traveling at 128 miles per hour CAN definitely snap the spine of your cat and kill it. It would then maybe manage to drag it into the air for a few dozen yards and land it in a bush or tree to feed on it, but it isn't going far. Raptors don't kill by carrying things away generally- they kill by force of impact and stabbing inwards with their talons- THEN they rip the fur/feathers off of their prey and eat it on the spot if the prey is too large to carry to a safer spot.

If your cat is killed by a hawk, chances are the body is nearby. If it's killed by a big owl or Eagle, it may never be found.

Answer 2

The largest prey a red tail hawk generally goes for is a rabbit or jackrabbit which is about twice the weight of a red tail. If the red tail thinks the dog is small enough to carry away he would probably go after it. I would not take any chances with the dog when the hawk is around.

Answer 3

A hawk will go after a kitten but it will less likely go after a full grown cat. Even if you have a full grown cat it will probably be able to run fast enough away from a hawk and if you have a kitten you would most likely keep it in your home with its mom.

Answer 4

yes a bald eagle sometimes hunt red-tailed hawk

Answer 5

Maybe, if it was desparate and starving. not a big cat though.

Answer 6

Yes they will if you leave your cat outside and they are hungry enough.

Answer 7

Yes! I've personally seen a red tail carry off a small cat. I recommend if there is a hawk around that small pets be taken indoors.

Answer 8

All animals have predators, humans.