Hawking

Definition:

(verb) A type of foraging activity whereby a bird catches individual insects on the wing and returns to a perch between short flights to eat its prey or watch for the next bite. Some birds will also hover while hawking, but the flights are not typically sustained. Birds may return to the same perch or a nearby location, and will feed for several minutes with a series of flights.

Hawking is so named because of its similarity to how raptors catch their prey in flight, but the key difference is that hawking involves catching birds in the bill rather than in talons.


Many types of insectivorous birds practice hawking, including flycatchers, honeyeaters, bee-eaters, warblers, hummingbirds and some species of woodpeckers and small owls. Hawking is not usually the sole method of foraging for these birds, however, and many will also glean insects from leaves, bark or spiderwebs.

Birders can take advantage of hawking behavior for excellent observation. Because the birds regularly return to the same perch, focusing on that perch instead of trying to follow the quick flights of the bird can facilitate good views and photographs.

Photo – Little Bee-Eater © Thom Haslam

Pronunciation:

HAW-keeeng

Also Known As:

Flycatching, Sallying