Hawk Problem of a different kind/ need advice

[truegrit44]

I have a red tail hawk nest in a large oak tree almost directly over my chicken run Been watching it for over 2 months. The babies are now beginning to fledge and yesterday we noticed one about 30 feet below the nest on a branch. He was very wobbly and not able to fly for sure (he was huge for about 6 weeks old, never dreamed they could grow that fast) was kinda worried about him.

We had a big rain storm early this morning and went to check on him and he has fallen, on the ground and about 75' away from his tree in a field behind our yard. Poor little (big) guy is soaked and just sitting out there. I am sure he won't make it long with the fox, coyotes that are around here. I guess I can just let nature take it's course and I'm sure this happens a lot but when you have to be witness to it it breaks my heart to see him

I am in Missouri, should I call wildlife people. It seems to me if you can go to prison for killing one they should be important enough to where the state/feds whatever would want to help them?

What would you folks do?

 

[Stiggy]

call the wild life place or spca, they will usually take them, and put them out with adoptee parents before releasing them. if he stays out in the wet he will die from one thing or another

 

[truegrit44]

Well, I called the nearest office of wildlife conservation here in my town. They said there isn't anything they can do and to just leave it and let nature take its course I am sure that with as many of these birds that nest around here this type of thing is going on all over here and all over the country and is just a sad fact of life. I just hate that I KNOW about it.................

 

[Stiggy]

well I guess unless your planning to interveine then you will just have to wait and see. yeah unfortunately some places really aren't all that helpful...

 

[petrel]

Try searching for raptor rescue in your area. I tried it here and one popped right up: www.raptorsva.org
Good luck!

 

[truegrit44]

Thanks for the tip. I was able to find one around here. I talked to the gal and she said since he really was injured it isn't a real big deal, however if he is still down where I can see him tomorrow to call her and they will try to send someone.

He is moving around now that the rain has stopped he can hop and flap his wings and can move fairly fast on the ground like that. He was in this dirt path/road (not really used) and had moved further down the road away from the nest even further about 100yds. While I was out there looking at him, but pretty far away, the mother hawk fly from down out of her nest and flew right over him and landed in a tree a short distance and was watching him I believe. It appeared she was trying to protect him from ME? So, I think she is well aware of his whereabouts and maybe can protect him enough. Can hope for the best.

He'll probably grow up and end up being the one that kills my chickens!

One thing I did find out from the fish/game dept when I called was that if hawks do cause a problem with my chickens I can call them and report it and they will do "something" what I have no idea.

 

[centrarchid]

1) Keep bird out hands of the rescue people. Delayed death sentence with that unless very experienced falconer / biologist type involved. Turns my stomach seeing logic behind some of the rescue efforts as they are little more than exercises in futility.


2) If it is still on ground, then with a large stick very gently place it under bird and get it to stand on it. Then get bird to stand on any branch in the area for the night.

3) Or simply leave it alone. It can climb a large trees by clambering slowly hanging with talons and flapping wings to pull itself up. If it can get off ground at all parents will provide is with food.



The falling out business is not all that rare and may have been induced by a predator entering nest. Once they are of sufficient age they bale from nest when threatened even though not quite ready to fly. Younger chicks simply stay and get eaten on the spot. Great-horned Owl or raccoon would be predators most likely to induce baling form nest.


Hunting near nest likely to be delayed if at all. Do not make a pet of it or it will be inclined to hunt around you.

 

[truegrit44]

I have no intention of making a pet out of it or even capturing it for that matter. He had already left the nest yesterday as we saw him on a branch a distance below his nest and I think he would have been fine as the mother would still feed him there. I think during the night between the heavy rain and maybe something scaring him he fell from that branch.

As to the rescue I believe the one I contacted is ok as it is run by the state college here as part of their study of raptors.

Good to know that he maybe able to get up in a tree for the night.