This month, Audubon's Goshawk and Stanley Hawk (plate 141) take off from the pages of
Birds of America and land in the library's reading room. Hawks are birds of prey that are also known as raptors, and are distinguished by their hook-shaped beaks and powerful sharp talons. Included in the print are the adult Goshawk (front standing, facing left) and the young Goshawk (perched on the branch), with the adult Stanley Hawk in the back, facing right. The Goshawk can be found in Massachusetts, but it is not commonly seen as its numbers have dwindled due to deforestation. You can read more about the American Goshawk on the Commonwealth's
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife webpage.
For Native American Heritage Month, we try to feature a bird that has a symbolic meaning for the Indigenous community, and in this case, hawks signify power, courage, and strength. Last year we shared the
wild turkey and the year before we shared the
Great Blue Heron, both with a connection to the Wampanoag Tribe.
Visit us from November 12 through December 9 to see the hawks on display.
Elizabeth Roscio
Preservation Librarian
