Why are waterfowl generally considered more difficult for a hawk to take than upland game birds?

Waterfowl are generally considered more challenging for a hawk to catch due to their superior evasion skills. Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, have evolved to exhibit highly developed flight patterns and agility when escaping predators. They can change direction swiftly and often utilize their ability to fly low over water to evade hawks. Additionally, they are adept at diving or landing in water, where they can hide and become less accessible to aerial predators.

This evasive behavior is a crucial survival adaptation, making them more difficult targets relative to upland game birds, which may not exhibit the same level of maneuverability or rapid response to aerial threats. This is why waterfowl present a greater hunting challenge for hawks compared to upland birds, which may not have as refined evasion techniques.