Claire Thompson
The term chicken hawk has several meanings. In the United States, it is an unofficial designation for certain species of North American hawks believed to prey on chickens. The term is considered obsolete by the American Ornithologists' Union, but it is still used colloquially, particularly in rural areas. Chicken hawk also has political connotations, describing a person who advocates for war but has never served in the military. In this context, it combines chicken (meaning 'coward') with hawk from war hawk. Additionally, in slang, a chicken hawk can refer to an older man who pursues young boys for sexual purposes. Beyond these definitions, some believe that seeing a chicken hawk can hold symbolic or spiritual significance, associating the bird with wisdom and the ability to discern important details in life's broader landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A hawk that preys or is believed to prey on chickens |
| A political term used in the United States to describe a person who is a war hawk yet actively avoids or avoided military service when of age | |
| Slang for an older man who seeks out young boys as sexual partners | |
| Species | Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, and the Buteo species red-tailed hawk |
| Synonyms | War wimp |
| Examples | John Bolton, Donald Trump, Dick Cheney, George W Bush, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, Mitt Romney, and Ted Nugent |
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What You'll Learn
A bird that hunts chickens
A chicken hawk is a colloquial term for a bird that hunts chickens. While the term is no longer used in official contexts, it is still used in rural areas where chickens are kept as pets or livestock. The term is used to refer to three species of North American hawks in the family Accipitridae: Cooper's hawk (also called a quail hawk), the sharp-shinned hawk, and the Buteo species red-tailed hawk.
Red-tailed hawks are the most common raptors that prey on chickens. They are opportunists and will hunt free-range poultry if given the opportunity, although their diet primarily consists of mammals such as rodents and rabbits. Hawks are day hunters and are smaller than eagles but have a large wingspan and a flat tail end. They come in various sizes and colours and can be found in both rural and urban settings.
Other birds of prey that may hunt chickens include eagles and owls. Eagles are the largest and most powerful birds of prey and will hunt chickens if they are readily available, although they generally prefer to hunt in the wild. Owls, on the other hand, hunt at night and rarely prey on chickens that are securely cooped.
To protect your chickens from birds of prey, you can take several measures. Keeping your chickens in a secure coop, especially at night, can help deter owls. Covering your run with wire or plastic netting can also help keep out daytime hunters like hawks and falcons. Roosters can also be helpful in warning the flock of airborne dangers and giving them time to take cover.
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A political term for war hawks who avoid military service
The term "chicken hawk" has several meanings. One of these refers to a political term used predominantly in the United States to describe a person who strongly advocates for war but actively avoids military service. The term is a compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" from "war hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates for war").
The implication of this political use of the term is that these so-called "chicken hawks" lack the bravery to participate in the wars they advocate for, instead asking others to fight and potentially die in their place. This concept of "chicken hawks" in politics is often associated with the idea that the American public has become increasingly distant from the military, with fewer people having direct experience of serving or knowing someone who has served.
Historically, the term "chicken hawk" has also been used to describe certain species of birds believed to prey on chickens, justifying their slaughter. However, this usage has become obsolete and is no longer considered accurate, as these birds—including Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, and the Buteo species red-tailed hawk—primarily hunt other birds or mammals, with chickens not making up a significant part of their diets.
In addition to these meanings, "chicken hawk" has also been used in slang to refer to an older man who pursues younger boys or young men for sexual purposes. This usage is separate from the political or avian definitions of the term.
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Pejorative term for older men seeking young boys
The term "chicken hawk" has several meanings. One of them is indeed a pejorative term for older men seeking young boys for sexual purposes. This usage of the term is slang.
Historically, the term "chicken hawk" has been used to refer to a hawk that preys or is believed to prey on chickens. This label has been used to justify the slaughter of certain bird species, such as Cooper's hawks, which were hunted to near extinction. However, the term is inaccurate as chickens do not make up a significant part of their diets. Due to this historical context, the term has become obsolete when referring to birds, although it still sees colloquial use in rural areas.
"Chicken hawk" is also a political term used in the United States to describe someone who strongly supports or promotes warlike policies but has never served in the military. The term is a combination of "chicken," meaning coward, and "hawk," referring to a "war hawk," someone who advocates for war. This usage of the term implies that these "chicken hawks" lack the bravery to participate in the wars they advocate for, preferring to have others fight and die in their place. Critics of the term argue that it is used as a form of whataboutism and that arguments should stand on their own merits.
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Pejorative term for supporters of war
The term "chicken hawk" is used as a pejorative to describe someone who strongly advocates for war but has never served in the military and actively avoids doing so. The term combines "chicken", meaning coward, and "hawk", referring to someone who promotes warlike policies. It implies that these individuals lack the bravery to fight in the wars they support, instead asking others to risk their lives in armed conflicts.
The term "chicken hawk" was used as early as 1970 on the American television show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, in which Dan Rowan made a joke about the Vietnam War, saying, "On the Vietnam issue, I have a friend who says he's a chicken hawk. He wants us to fight on to victory, but to do it without him." The term gained further exposure with the 1983 bestselling book Chickenhawk, a memoir by Robert Mason about his service as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. In the book, Mason used "chicken hawk" as an oxymoron to describe his fear of ("chicken") and attraction to ("hawk") combat.
Critics of the term "chicken hawk" argue that it is a form of whataboutism, used in place of substantive arguments against military action. Commentator Jonah Goldberg, for instance, considers it a fallacy, asserting that "arguments must stand on their own merits, regardless of who delivers them." Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has criticised the use of the term as a pejorative, arguing that it "undermines fundamental values of representative democracy."
Despite these criticisms, the term continues to be used in political discourse to describe individuals who promote war but have not served in the military. Modern examples of individuals labelled as "chicken hawks" include John Bolton, Donald Trump, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, and Mitt Romney, among others.
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Compound oxymoron for fear and attraction to combat
The term "chicken hawk" has several meanings. In the United States, it is an unofficial designation for certain species of hawks that are believed to prey on chickens, although this belief is largely inaccurate. The term has negative connotations and has historically justified the slaughter of these birds.
"Chicken hawk" is also a political term used to describe a person who strongly advocates for war but actively avoids military service, implying a lack of bravery to participate in combat themselves. This usage combines the ideas of "'chicken,' representing fear or cowardice", and "'hawk,' representing aggression or a pro-war stance", creating a compound oxymoron that captures the contradictory nature of being attracted to the idea of war while simultaneously fearing it.
The term "chicken hawk" in this political context highlights the perceived hypocrisy of individuals who aggressively push for military action without being willing to personally face the risks and sacrifices involved. It suggests a disconnect between their public stance and their personal choices, implying that they are willing to send others into harm's way while avoiding similar sacrifices themselves.
The usage of "chicken hawk" in this context serves as a rhetorical device, critiquing the pro-war position of individuals who have not served in the military. It conveys a sense of moral ambiguity, suggesting that their advocacy for war may be less credible or justified due to their absence from the front lines.
This compound oxymoron, "chicken hawk," effectively captures the complex interplay between fear and attraction to combat, revealing the multifaceted nature of individuals' relationships with the concept of war.
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Frequently asked questions
In the United States, a chicken hawk is a political term used to describe a person who supports war but has never served in the military. It is a compound of "chicken" (meaning "coward") and "hawk" from "war hawk" (meaning "someone who advocates war").
Yes, a chicken hawk can also refer to a hawk that preys or is believed to prey on chickens. However, this term is considered obsolete by the American Ornithologists' Union as it is too ambiguous and inaccurate.
Some people believe in animal totems, which associate hawks with wisdom. Thus, seeing a chicken hawk could be a sign of gaining wise insight into life changes and trusting yourself to make the right decisions.
