26 Jul 2009

Hawk Stops Mail Delivery

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This hawk chases mailmen

A nesting Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has shut down mail delivery in its local neighborhood by making a habit of stooping upon local carriers.

CBC:

Canada Post has temporarily suspended door-to-door mail delivery for a neighbourhood in Moose Jaw, Sask., because of threatening swoops from a protective bird of prey.

Letter carriers had recently become the target of a Swainson’s hawk nesting in the area. The common prairie hawk, which can grow to 50 centimetres (19.7″) in length and weigh up to 1.1 kilograms (2.42 lbs.), is known to be quite territorial when caring for young.

The fierce moves of the Moose Jaw bird have disrupted mail delivery since late May.

“What they do is just try to intimidate you,” Janet Ng, a bird expert from the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, told CBC News on Friday.

Janet Ng, a bird expert from the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, says the hawk is merely protecting its young. Janet Ng, a bird expert from the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, says the hawk is merely protecting its young.

“They’re trying to protect their nests. They want to protect their young, and they want to scare you off because they don’t know what your intentions are.”

Canada Post said mail delivery will resume as soon as the birds have moved on.

Hat tip to Karen L. Myers.

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