How to save a bird of prey

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No matter what experts may tell you saving a bird of prey will to a large extent depend on the “morale” of the bird at the time that you try to save it plus it`s overall physical condition is also important.

At our office we had to save a little young hawk.

“Hawkeye” came to us unexpectedly. A volunteer working at the office noticed a bird with something in its beak on the ground. Binoculars showed that it had nothing in its beak for it was a hawk with the famous curved beak. A baby hawk, but strong & well grown although he could not fly.

“Hawkeye” was being dive bombed by Swallows & he ran for shelter. He ran to our main office to get under the shadow of the building in order to hide from the dive-bombers.

When he arrived we scooped him up gently & brought him inside. Here we put him in a temporary cage. Unfortunate but necessary.

We feed the little chap on raw red meat & he ate with great gusto. All that day he had a fine appetite.

The next day we prepared a large aviary made up of wood for him to consider home while we fed him & built him up.

With all creatures there is a learning experience. “Hawkeye” was no different in that respect. On the second day he refused to eat. At all. Anything!

This was a bad sign. 

We could not keep him in the aviary if he would not eat. To release him into the wild was a risk. The risk had to be taken. So with great doubts in our minds we perched “Hawkeye” on the shoulders of his temporary minder who walked outside & walked around the grounds with “Hawkeye” on his shoulder.

After much hesitation, our little hawk took wing & flew to the trees at the perimeter. He flew like a damaged Spitfire waggling it`s wings but the little chap flew. Our hearts were heavy but we had hopes that he might find his parents who would feed him.

However, the next day, late in the morning there was a small thump at the main office window. I took a look about & there was our little visitor. One baby hawk presenting himself to his neighbours, or are we his mentors? Away he flew again. But the following day he flew into another window. Thump. Of course we were by this time worried that “Hawkeye” would hurt himself.

The little fellow was spotted several times again that day so we put strips of raw red meat out on top of a garden waste heap that the gardener had left. The garden pile nice & high & it should be easy even for a bay hawk to spot.

He did. The meat was soon gone.

Each day he returns to the garden pile & each day we put strips of raw red meat on top of the pile.

So, to save a baby bird of prey, good common sense is the best expertise you can have. Good luck if you are in the same position.