What does it imply if a hawk repeatedly bobs its head after a meal?

Head bobbing in hawks after a meal often indicates a physiological behavior known as "putting over" food into their stomach. This process helps the bird digest its meal more effectively by moving the food into the gizzard, which aids in breaking down the food further. The head bobbing can signal that the bird is adjusting its throat and esophagus to accommodate the food it has just consumed, ensuring it is properly positioned for digestion.

This behavior is particularly important for raptors, as they often consume whole prey that can be larger than their throats. By moving their heads in this manner, they can optimize their physical state for digestion. This is a natural instinctive behavior linked to their feeding process rather than signs of boredom, hunger, or readiness for flight, which are indicated by different behaviors. Understanding this behavior helps falconers monitor the health and well-being of their birds, allowing them to adjust feeding practices and care as needed.