The two baby hawks, who have not been named yet, are about five weeks old sitting along Washington Square South twelve stories up. They are called eyasses at this stage. They have not taken flight yet. This is the fourth year the nest has been on the 12th floor of the Bobst Library outside NYU President John Sexton’s office (I’ve always wondered… what are the chances of that?). The previous years there was live video feed from the office of the nest (the “HawkCam”). A recent New York Times story noted that the University had placed anti-reflective coating on the window so movement inside the office would not disturb the hawks, Bobby and Rosie. This made it more difficult to engage the “HawkCam.” A spokesperson said this is “less intimate, but somehow more natural feeling.”
The top photo is about a week ago of the pair, the second photo is more recent of what the hawks look like now. The young hawks will eventually begin flying in Washington Square Park. It’s been fun to watch in previous years. At the younger age, they will sometimes play with the squirrels.
Red-tailed hawks usually “fledge” (leave the nest and fly) 42-46 days after hatching. The hawks at Washington Square, however, have always done things on their own time table.
All the other years, segments of the park have been sectioned off due to the ongoing construction so they’ve had territory sans people to practice their flight. This will be the first year this is not the case.
Photo 1 : Bruce D. Yolton
Photos 2 and 3: jeremy Seto
Coverage at this blog on the red-tailed hawks Bobby and Rosie and the original pair, wonderful Violet and Bobby.