Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk Cam ~ A tragic event ~ 4/29/2023 - Viewer Discretion Advised 

Being young & his first nesting season Tom was very confused. He did display some "paternal instincts" also which was the sad part. Tom almost did the same when the 2nd eyas hatched. The confusion was there again. I have a video of that event also. Angel got back in time & made Tom leave the nest. After that, it all clicked & Tom became a really great provider. I still believe if Angel would have introduced Tom to the eyas before leaving, it would have been different.

An unfortunate learning event for Tom but yes... he is doing great.

I've been watching RTH nest cams for some years now but this was a first for watching a new young male's first nesting season. Although tragic it was both educational to watch Tom develop and an insight to what might be instinct vs learned behavior.

Although that does happen, I don't think so in this case because Angel accepted the chick & Tom almost did the same to their 2nd chick but Angel came back & protected it. I still believe if Angel would have introduced Tom to the chick before she left it unattended this might not have happened.

Correct... Tom didn't recognize the chick as offspring but what you are seeing is Instinct vs Learned behavior. Angel made a big mistake as well. If you watch a lot of Raptor nests when the male comes in a lot of the females will stand up and introduce the new hatchling to the male first before leaving or so he knows it's time to go hunt. Angel didn't do that she left it unattended. What are his instincts telling him? This was his first offspring. Then he changed after it died and showed a parental side. Also a lot of animals will eat their own kind its not cannibalism in that sense. In nature nothing goes to waste it doesn't cause diseases. Its inbreeding that causes issues. Cats & dogs will eat their new born. Raptors will eat or feed a deceased offspring to the surviving. As humans, we have learned what these helpless chicks are just like all baby animals. If you have watched Tom he learned really quick with the second chick. Why... because Angel returned back to the nest in time and put herself between Tom & the chick. She protected it and told him to leave. Tom returned to the nest the 2nd time Angel wasn't there but didn't stay. He looked at the chick & something clicked... It was time for him to go hunt and provide like his parents did. This is what I interpreted the events to be.

It was a sad event to witness but Tom is doing great with the 2nd eyas / RTH5

Something happened to make him change like that. I still believe if Angel would have introduced Tom to the chick first things would have been different. Because when Angel came in and put herself between Tom and the 2nd chick is when he changed.

It was a sad and unfortunate event to see. Egg #2 is hatching and should be out sometime today (4-30). I believe things will be different now for this one.

I hope that everything very well, now.❤😊

Yes... lets hope for the best

There were two hatches... the first one on 4-28 that was killed & the second one on 4-30 is doing great.

That is true but I don't think it was in this case & usually it's the female that kills the offspring. This was the first nesting season for the male and just an unfortunate event. He almost killed the second chick but the female returned in time to protect it. He has turned out to be a really good provider for a first time dad & only 3 or 3-1/2 yrs old.

It was a sad event the unfortunately happened

The male accidentally killed it

@@uwohaliproductions5624 dam tough break

Yes... a very rare leucistic RTH

Я не думаю, что кто-то действительно может понять, почему

いいえ、彼らはうまくやってしまった

Oui, le mâle est un nouveau papa et n'a pas compris que le poussin était le sien. / Yes, the male is a new dad and did not understand that the chick was his.

She's so sad. She so gently tries to wake her baby. Wow, just wow. I think he may understand and tries to wake baby too. Hopefully he'll be ok with the next one. 😢

Egg #2 has hatched, first view is at 01:22:41pm. I believe things will be positive this time.

​@@uwohaliproductions5624 lets hope so😢

I'm not sure what you are referring to but tragically the chick was killed by Tom.

This is Tom's first nesting season & just didn't understand & maybe confused. Angel should have waited until Tom came to the nest and introduced him to their new chick first but she left the nest & chick unattended. It's not all Tom's fault.

@@uwohaliproductions5624 Typical males, very clumsy and unorganized.