Red Tailed Hawks are one of the few hawks that mate for life. They can be seen sitting on power poles, along the highway in trees, and on the tops of Saguaro cactus. They are large, beautiful hawks, easily identified by their colorful red tail.
Recently 1st Response Wildlife received a call from a homeowner that had “some kind of large bird,” in their back yard between their perimeter wall and some large rocks. The “large bird,” was immediately identified as a Red Tail hawk. It did not seem to want to fly away and the first impression was that it might be hurt. (see below)
Using Raptor gloves and a net, it was easily captured by 1st Response Wildlife and, upon inspection of its wings, (see below), it was determined that they were not damaged but, two of its talons were at a 90-degree angle and appeared broken. This, however did not seem to be an external reason for the Red Tail to be on the ground and essentially immobile.
A 360 inspection of the Red Tail seemed to show it was in some state of shock and, while it could maintain itself in an upright position while holding on to the Raptor gloves, it did not seem to be ready to be released back into the wild.
Red Tail-easily provides for identification.
A decision was made to take it to a rehabber for closer inspection by a veterinarian and, the next day, it was learned it indeed had been sick, also was covered in mites, was dehydrated, had passed away, and probably had picked that homeowner’s protected spot next to the wall to die.
Having a Red Tail die, even of natural causes is sad. What was a bit out of the ordinary, in addition to having been present when a Red Tail had chosen a place to die was, that, in the area where this Red Tail was found, Red Tails are rarely seen so, to have one show up in that neighborhood was a surprise. (About a mile away, they are seen routinely, soaring and hunting, and scanning the desert floor from atop power poles.)
Surprisingly, almost immediately after this Red Tail was removed from the homeowner’s property and, for the following few weeks, another Red Tail Hawk has shown up and has been seen perched on the top of a Saguaro and also soaring/circling around the neighborhood. As, Red Tailed Hawks are almost never seen in this particular area, the fact another Red Tail Hawk has suddenly shown up and apparently has been looking for its now departed mate, makes this tale of the two Red Tails even more sad.
1st Response Wildlife is a business that cares for the animals in southern Arizona and works hard to ensure their safety-both in the process of trapping and relocation. When animals and, in this case, mates, are separated permanently from their life long mate, it bears reporting because the fact that animals themselves care and are committed to each other is a story worth telling.
If you have any questions concerning wildlife or have nuisance animals that you would like to have relocated, please consider giving 1st Response Wildlife a call.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), badgers, Javelina, coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, burrowing under your home, making nests, creating a nuisance, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
