Portsmouth Man Shoots At 50-80 Protected Hawks: Feds

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A Portsmouth man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he shot at, injured, and killed red-tailed and Cooper hawks around his property in an effort to protect squirrels, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Monday.

Robert Ferreira, 64, was charged with four counts of hunting, taking, killing or attempting to kill migratory birds, a violation of the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Between Oct. 1, 2018 and April 18, 2021, Ferreira repeatedly used a pump-action pellet air gun to shoot at hawks in his backyard, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Ferreira told a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent he estimates he shot at 50-to-80 hawks, believing they were a threat to squirrels that visited squirrel feeders on his property.

According to court documents, neighbors reported hearing popping sounds around Ferreira’s property that were consistent with gunshots, and found eight injured and deceased hawks on or near Ferreira’s property.

The U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects certain migratory birds, including the red-tailed hawk and Cooper hawk, and forbids hunting, capturing, or killing these birds unless authorized by permit. Hunting, taking, killing, or attempting to kill migratory birds is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison and fine of up to $15,000.

Ferreira is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 12 in federal court.

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