[FIELDNOTE] Red Tailed Hawk Rescue

It's been quite awhile since Chloe and I got to assist in a wildlife rescue here on the island. The last big rescue we were part of was capturing, transporting, and releasing back to Bowen a beautiful Kingfisher. That was one for the books for sure!

The first week of 2021, Chloe and I got to once again be a big part of a successful rehabilitation of a beautiful creature that calls Bowen home - a magnificent red tailed hawk! Chloe and I caught and transported this very ill little guy to OWL Orphaned Wildlife in Delta, after a fellow islander posted on Facebook that it was on the ground of a busy local trail.

We learned that the hawk was dangerously emaciated and was suspected to be suffering from lead poisoning which was later confirmed through bloodwork. We were welcomed into the examination room while the vet, Rob Hope, looked 'our hawk' over and were then treated to a private tour of the facilities which have been closed to the public since Covid struck. We were treated like royalty and loved every moment of our visit.

We were given a case number, however, we never had to use it as our hawk (which Chloe named Blaze) was the only one in care at that time from Bowen. We were able to call for updates and last Thursday, the call finally came, that Blaze had made a full recovery and was able to be released back on our island. 

Chloe and I made the big trip to Delta on Tuesday to pick up our little friend - we didn't even recognize him. He looked GORGEOUS - his feathers were silky smooth, his eyes were sparkling, his round little body was beyond adorable. We headed straight back to the island to release him as soon as possible in order for him to have ample daylight to get reacquainted with his surroundings. We were met at the Cape, by my parents, our local RCMP pal, Adam, who was present during his rescue, his wife and friends and together we watched as Blaze left his crate and soared high into the trees. It was beautiful. It was such an amazing honour to be part of this little hawk's journey and I hope he has a long and happy life.

For more information on the dangers of lead poisoning, please visit click here.

About the Red Tailed Hawk

Size and Shape | Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks with typical Buteo proportions: very broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Large females seen from a distance might fool you into thinking you’re seeing an eagle. (Until an actual eagle comes along.)

© Jonathan Eckerson | Macaulay Library

Colour Pattern | Most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above, though in young birds it’s brown and banded. “Dark-morph” birds are all chocolate-brown with a warm red tail. “Rufous-morph” birds are reddish-brown on the chest with a dark belly.

Behaviour | You’ll most likely see Red-tailed Hawks soaring in wide circles high over a field. When flapping, their wingbeats are heavy. In high winds they may face into the wind and hover without flapping, eyes fixed on the ground. They attack in a slow, controlled dive with legs outstretched – much different from a falcon’s stoop.

Habitat | The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of open country. Look for it along fields and perched on telephones poles, fenceposts, or trees standing alone or along edges of fields.

Source: allaboutbirds.org