Red-tailed Hawk hovering mid-air in its hunting mode..

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

[Docreed2003]

1. Gorgeous

Thanks Neville

[Nevilledog]

2. ...

[Fla Dem]

3. Wow that was fascinating. Did not realize they could hover like that!

Very handsome creature!

[Wounded Bear]

19. It's a pretty significant head wind he's riding on...

[brush]

4. Amazing shots. How was that done in mid-air. And was the hawk...

actual hovering like a humming bird? Can't tell as the background is so neutral one can't see movement.

Quite an accomplishment.

[Nevilledog]

5. Look how still its head is....

[Roy Rolling]

6. Yes!

The eyes are fixed on the ground.

[AZ8theist]

9. I noticed that too...

Incredible. Nature is lit!!

[WinstonSmith4740]

13. I used to watch hawks play in air currents.

When I lived in a rural area, I noticed what appeared to be the hawk version of bungy jumping. About 5 or 6 (probably teenagers!) were doing it. They'd ride the thermal up, hover for a few seconds, and then dive. They'd get a few yards above the ground, head back up, and do it again. At first I thought they were hunting, but then noticed they weren't coming in talons down...they just kept coming head down, and changed direction at the last minute and went back up. They'd also face into the wind on road signs, spread their wings and hover there, just like in the video. They're pretty freaking awesome birds.

[momta]

7. Great video!

We have red-tailed hawks near my house. They're majestic!

[madamesilverspurs]

8. Have watched eagles do this,

from a distance, however. High over the water between Indian Island and Pt. Townsend WA. The bird looks stationary, then drops straight down into the water. It really is amazing to watch.


.

[MLAA]

10. He looks like he is suspended in mid air! Super cool.

[airplaneman]

11. I once waked out to my car on the street

and a dove went BANG on the street right next to me. I looked up and one of these hawks was hovering within arms reach. The dove next took off and the hawk was chasing in hot pursuit. The hawk was determined this dove was going to be its next meal.
-Airplane

[Progressive Jones]

14. I work right next to some railroad tracks, and a couple of acres of woods.

Red-tailed Hawks are always around. Plenty of snakes and rodents to hunt. It's very cool to watch.

[Pepsidog]

12. Wow

[2naSalit]

15. I think that's a Kestrel rather than a RTH.

Still fabulous, Kestrels are hard to photograph.

[StClone]

17. I don't want to take your money

Definitely a Red-tailed Hawk

[2naSalit]

18. Well...

I watched it a few more times and

I agree with you. I didn't see the whole thing the first time, I guess.

[StClone]

16. Being a raptor, focus is everything!

This aerial feat, of staying stationary with little wing movement while facing into the wind, is called "stilling." It is different than hovering (which other raptors like the Rough-legged Hawk does by actively flapping its wings) and saves energy. Head, eye, and body control leads to better visual information and higher hunting success. Falcons do the opposite, while perching they will bob their heads, seemingly to judge distance of flying prey.

The head control is pretty amazing. But also, watch the little flaps at the top front of the hawk's bend of wing. These little winglets are individually called the alula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alula The feathers are highly developed in many raptors for active control in soaring to.

By the way, the Red-tailed Hawk represents one of America's most adaptable and widespread hawk.