Tehachapi News

It tastes like chicken

Solveig Thompson took this photo on Deertrail Drive in Bear Valley Springs of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) eating a snake. Most birds of prey will catch and eat snakes if given the chance. Even during the summer months when it’s warm enough outside for snakes to be active, these sinuous reptiles are not out of danger because while the diurnal raptors like hawks and eagles sleep, great horned owls, barn owls and others are out hunting and will not hesitate to seize a snake. Even when preying on rattlesnakes and other venomous serpents, raptors seldom receive a serious bite because they fluff out their plumage and a striking snake ends up biting feathers rather than the bird. Hawks will also grab a snake in their talons and fly off, and while high above ground will accidentally or intentionally drop the hapless reptile and then retrieve it. While this is risky for the raptor and may result in the loss or theft of the meal, it does tend to take the fight out of the snake. The Nüwa (Kawaiisu) Indian word for Red-tailed Hawk is Kwa-NA-zi.