What was this hawk doing in my back yard?

Factual Questions
1

I looked out in my back yard. About 30m away was a large hawk with its wings outstretched and rocking right-to-left on its feet. After about 30 seconds, it stopped rocking, but kept its wings outstretched. After another 2-3 minutes, it pulled its wings in and just stood on my back lawn. 3-4 minutes later, it took off. I’m not sure, but it looked like a squirrel’s tail was trailing from its feet as it flew away.

I assume I witnessed a hawk killing its prey, but what was the purpose of the rocking and why were its wings outstretched if it had already caught its prey?

2

Video Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnwL-Oi5OEE
Because it has the trouble that if it starts wielding its talons with its wings down, it would catch its own wings in its talons.

In the video, you can see if it has its wings down, its feet are relaxed…

If its using its talons for killing or carrying its prey, or its worried about having to be quick to fly away, its got its wings out.

3

The behavior is called mantling, and it is supposed to hide and protect the kill so it does not get stolen by other predators (http://birding.about.com/od/birdingglossary/g/Mantling.htm)

4

It’s also known as the Ickey Shuffle.

5

Interesting information, thank you. In my case, the hawk made no attempt to eat the prey. I assume it was just waiting for it to die.

That film of the pigeon was disturbing in the the pigeon was still alive at the end of the film.

6

It is spring so it may have a mate to feed who is nesting right now.

7

Get some cold cuts!