I was about to head into work when I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk near my neighbors fence. I stopped and grabbed the camera because around here they are shy and take off when you get anywhere near them. I was having trouble getting a good pic when I noticed the bird just wasn't acting right. By that time my neighbor noticed I was lurking and I yelled "I think we got a injured Red-shouldered Hawk over here".

I started to walk closer to the Hawk and it just kinda jumped around and wouldn't fly off. Even when my neighbors dogs ran up to the fence the bird just got low and tried to make itself look as wide as it could. I told her I would get some gloves and a box so I could capture it and take it somewhere.

When I got back with a fish tank and gloves the Hawk was hiding behind the trash can. I moved the trash can over a little and grabbed the Hawk and it didn't put up a fight. I could tell the Hawk was no where close to being an adult but it was old enough that flying shouldn't have been a problem.

When I got to work I made a few call's and found a place that would take it. During my lunch I drove out the the Vet and they took a look at the Hawk. I was told that it was a young bird (born this spring) and that it looked a little thin but they didnt know why it wouldn't fly.

The vet told me they would fix the Hawk up and rehab it until it was ready to be released into the wild. When its ready to be released they said Fish and Game will come get it and take it out by the river to be set free.

It took me a while to find a place I thought could care for the Hawk but the vet I took it to deals with exotic animals and specializes in birds. They informed me they already have 4 (or was it 5?) Red-shouldered Hawk's in rehab there and it would be in good hands.

I'm going to call next week to see what they find out about why it wont fly.

Sorry for the bad pics!

That is a good story. I bet it won't be lng before that hawk is flying and hunting on its own. Good job!

I love hawks. I see them from time to time in my yard catching squirrels. You did a good thing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

cool, good job. that's a beautiful bird! let us know what was wrong.

awesome! i love hawks!

One time I was hunting squirrels and I shot one that was wwwwaaaayyyyyyy high up in a tree. The squirrel fell to the ground like a rock and .05 sec later a Red-shouldered Hawk grabbed it.

I got a good laugh out of it.

In 1989 I caught one the exact same way. It was also really young. I kept it in a cage for a couple days, feeding it raw meat, and then started taking it outside, with no tether. The third time outside it flew off. I guess that's when it was ready to go. It never occurred to me that something might have been wrong... I just assumed it was really young and wasn't quite strong enough to fly, yet. And I didn't want the dogs to get it.

You did a good thing.

Nice job, that was a great thing to do. Says a lot about your character rmc85

RMC....If the hawk could say "thanks" ...I'm sure it would. We are all caretakers of this world....you've taken care of Gods creation. Your THE man in his eyes.

Yeah, I know this hasn't anything to do with a hawk but I've never seen a Ground Hog in a tree 7 feet off the ground before! I watched him climb up this tree and just stretch out. I stood about 4 feet from him taking pictures for about 5 minutes. Got some REALLY good closeups where it shows his teeth a little but have not gotten them loaded up yet.

But this is a hawk. i think he was guarding something he eating on.



Oh, check out this owl!

As a cop...people would call to get their cats out of the trees....when I got on scene...I'd ask...Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree??? they'd say no. then I'd pullout the .357...they'd say...He'll come down by himself.....I'd say...I knew you'd see it my way