Red Tailed Hawks...?

Question

I have an eight pound Chihuahua and was wondering if a Red Tail Hawk could lift her or would even go after her. We have a few around our house and seen them kill a rabbit and a squirrel. I try to keep her indoors when we hear or see the hawks but she loves to wander around and sun herself. Is she in danger?

Answer 1

It isn't likely but it is certainly possible.  A red tail is certainly capable of attacking her by maybe not lifting her.  Hawks get extremely aggressive when they get very hungry in a state that falconers call being "sharp set".  People on the steps of Asia hunted wolves with large golden eagles that have been starved for about a week.  There are also eagles and great horned owls to worry about but the biggest danger is probably coyotes or mountain lions depending on where you are from.

Answer 2

yes they could lift your dog. there are known cases of Harpy Eagles that took baby indians in amazonia.

Answer 3

Large hawks prey on small mammals. The Red-tailed Hawk feeds on rodents and rabbits but also catches larger animals, including pheasants, hares, and jackrabbits. Likewise, Ferruginous and Harris's Hawks chase rabbits, rodents, and ground squirrels. Swainson's Hawks eat mice and large insects.

Of the prey items I've mentioned, jackrabbits are the heaviest. They weigh no more than 10 pounds, less than your pet. Since a small dog could look about the same size as a hawk's usual prey, however, it's possible that a hungry raptor might at least attempt to capture the dog, injuring it in the process.

Be more cautious, though, about leaving your dog outdoors at night. Great Horned Owls are powerful hunters that eat a wide variety of prey, including raccoons, porcupines, and house cats - all of which can weigh as much as your pet.

Recently in Great Britain, a Eurasian Eagle-Owl made headlines when it repeatedly attacked at least five dogs. The owner of one of the dogs, a miniature wire-haired dachshund, said, "It is very frightening for Heidi to have this giant bird trying to eat her all the time. I have no doubt that it wants to make her into its next meal. I guess Heidi looks like a rabbit or a tasty snack." A falconer captured the bird, which was believed to have escaped from an aviary.