Birds continue to exhibit remarkable behaviors. Studies have shown that crows can use tools and hold grudges against specific individuals, while magpies are capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors. Recently, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Ethology reported that hawks are utilizing traffic signals to hunt prey.
The research, conducted by Vladimir Dinets, a zoologist from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, began at an intersection in West Orange, New Jersey, near Dinets’ home. He had an ongoing interest in understanding how animals perceive urban environments, especially regarding birds’ interactions with cars. Previous observations have noted ravens patrolling highways for roadkill and songbirds using vehicles to evade predators.
Dinets observed an intriguing behavior when a young Cooper’s hawk migrated into his neighborhood. At a relatively quiet intersection, even during rush hour, Dinets noticed the hawk behaving in an innovative way.
In a guest editorial for Frontiers in Ethology, Dinets described how a pedestrian crossing sometimes caused cars to line up down the block to a small, bushy tree. The pedestrian "walk" signal would emit a sound indicating it was safe to cross.
One morning, Dinets witnessed the hawk emerging from the tree, flying low over the line of cars, crossing the street, and diving toward something near a house. This pattern repeated several times.
Dinets discovered the family living in the house often dined in their front yard, attracting birds like sparrows and doves to feed on leftover crumbs. The hawk took advantage of these easy targets, swooping down to catch them, but only when cars were lined up along the block to the tree.
The hawk appeared to use the line of cars for cover and had learned to associate the pedestrian signal sound with the opportunity to hunt. When the signal sound indicated cars were about to pile up, the hawk would fly to the small tree, using the vehicles as camouflage to approach its prey.
Dinets concluded that the hawk understood the connection between the pedestrian signal and the ensuing car queue, and it had developed a mental map of the neighborhood. The following year, the hawk returned and employed the same hunting strategy. However, after the family moved away and the signal stopped functioning, Dinets noted the absence of such intelligent hawks.
Despite urban challenges like avoiding windows, navigating traffic, and contending with noise, the study highlighted how some birds adapt to city life. Dinets observed that Cooper’s hawks manage to survive and thrive by being exceptionally intelligent.
