Aussie Finch Forum

I've had a Hawk/Falcon the last few days landing on and flying around the aviaries. Even my chickens are reluctant to come out of their pens during the day. Have put a windmill and "bali type flag" above the aviaries as well as upturned hanging baskets which reduces the ease of actually landing on the avaries. Haven't seen the bird today and upto now the finches have settled down again.

I have heard of putting up Fake plastic hawks and eagles up to scare live hawks and eagles away.

Most hawks and eagles are very territorial, if they were indeed fooled by plastic imitations it would most likely attract them, as they defended their territory.
Suspending shade cloth or some other non-see-through material a few centimetres above the roof, and reaching out over the sides of the aviary may help deter them as they look down from above and see no movement.

I am not sure about the hawks in WA but if it was here the odds would be a Goshawk and because of the time of the year I would guess that it was a young bird not long weaned.We have a few problems this time of the year as the young have little experience and are looking for an easy meal.
Goshawks and similar are stealth hunters not like Falcons who a flying preditors.

We've had a goshawk or similar hanging around our aviaries at work also.

They freak the poor old tawny frogmouths out along with the finches and canaries.

Haven't seen him for a good week or so now though..

Mostly Goshawks in residential areas here too. Once they find a good feeding territory all is well. Unfortunately the hot summers induce them to come further in, just keep shooing them and hopefully a more hawk friendly territory will be found nearby. Or call the raptor relocation people (google) and they will relocate to a more distant suitable territory.
LML

Thanks for all your advice, yes probably is/was a Goshawk, we live near a large bush/lake area so may have come over from there to investigate the aviaries. I have seen them over the years (or at least there aftermath) when out the back you think you see or here something and then see feathers from some unlucky dove floating down from the nearby trees. They have never seemed to worry about the aviaries in the past. maybe the heat or perhaps its just young or has young. The windmills i've put up and covering the aviary with "mesh" seem to have helped.