How ominous! I wonder what the augurs of the Caesars would say about that one?
Eagles are hawks - not all hawks are eagles . . . that is eagles are in the hawk family. I'm not a bird expert, just a dilettante, but hawks are typified by a number of identifiers: talons, beak type, wing shape, flying/gliding behavior ability etc. (Oh goodness, I'm a bird nerd!)
Most of the hawks found in NYC are Peregrine Falcons - which were reintroduced to the area few years back. They were almost killed out by DDT pesticide. They feed mostly on smaller birds - though they also eat small mammals.
A friend of mine saw one swoop down and grab a squirrel in Washington Square Park a couple of weeks ago. There was a story in the news a few years back about one grabbing a Chihuahua in Bryant Park a few years ago! Oh dear.
I have noticed a lot more Peregrine Falcons perching in the EV lately . . . I suppose its all these new tall buildings? They like tall buildings. But I never saw one swoop and kill.
The tripiest falcon (hawk) that you will see in the area is the Sparrow Hawk. It is about the size of a sparrow or a robin and yet they have the signature beak and the taloned claws . . . they look a bit like little owls (owls are also hawks) so small and cute -sort of like the Chihuahuas of the hawk family. I've seen them out in Jamaica Bay at the wildlife refuge The place where sea turtles still go to lay their eggs, believe it or not.
Pretty sure that the sparrow hawks go after the baby turtles on their way into the ocean . . . very Cabeza del Vaca (Suddenly Last Summer).