Rescued Bird of Prey

Today I rescued what I think is a juvenile red tailed hawk. I know it is a protected species so unlawful for me to posess. I rescued it from certain death and will try to contact the proper authorities tomorrow. I am trying to feed it some slivers of fresh, raw venison. It tries to eat but doesn't appear to know quite how to go about it. I am more worried that it has not drunk water. If any of you know anthing about rehabbing such a bird, I would appreciate your suggestions. It is a beautiful bird.

* I soaked the closed eye with warm water this morning and got it open. It is red and swollen so I put some ointment in it. I tried to feed it again this morning. It showed a bit more interest but still couldn't seem to manage it. I was worried about it not getting any water since I learned from a rehabber friend that they get all their water from their food. I used a syringe to dribble water onto the side of it's beak and it drank some. I am letting it rest now and will try to feed it again later.

Doesn't the rehabber friend know who to contact? It should be done by someone who is trained. congrats on doing a rescue.

She rehabbed one herself and had tried to get it to somebody who knew more about them. She said she couldn't find anyone. Told me the only thing she could think to do was call the DNR. She ended up rehabbing it herself. The one she rehabbed had been shot. This one is not injured that I can tell, other than the eye. I have that open now and treated it with special eye ointment. It can see from the eye even though it is swollen and red. It is trying harder to eat since the eye is open so it may not need much help for long. It's just young and should not be on it's own yet. It was tangled in the high grass and had "tied" itself to the ground. No telling how long it had been there. I imagine struggling there in the underbrush is how it's eye got scratched. I don't know if it was going after prey or if it got blown out of it's nest. We had high gusting winds. It has not attempted to fly but it does spread it's wings and fluff it's feathers. I had freed it from it's tangle and put it on a rock in some brush. I left it there for a couple of hours and checked on it a few times. There were some people nearby who were sparring game cocks in their back yard and came to look at the hawk. I figured it was only a matter of time before they either killed it or decided it would be fun to let the roosters spar with it. So I couldn't leave it there. It is in my bedroom in a big plastic tub. The top is open but it just sits there.

Chances sound good. It will have fledged in July or August, so will be independent of its parents by now.

Resin

Talked to a rehabber a couple counties over. Trying to meet so I can give it to her. She said it sounds like a kestrel instead of a RTH. Said it is likely spitting out the venison because it does not like it. Told me to try hamburger. I'll have to go to the store.

It is so difficult to see an animal in distress and I applaud your efforts. I hope it works out well and you will keep us updated.

Good for you Cajun. We are blessed with the birds & shouldn't lose them. I have seen Kestrals & their hovering act.

From the pics in the Wildlife forum thread, it is a Red-tailed Hawk; actually probably an adult as it has a red tail.

Resin

Hope it likes the hamburger. At least it is out of danger from stupid people.

I still do not know what kind of bird it was. The rehabber drove over later yesterday evening and picked it up. She said she wasn't sure either as it had some features that did not match either species. I have never been up close to either so I can only guess. She was going to take it to Somerset, Ky to a rehabber there who specializes in raptors. The rehabber is also a teacher at the high school and they have a raptor club and a very large rehab program for raptors. I'd love to see it sometime. Any way, the bird is safe now nd should do well with more knowledgable keepers. I am glad i did what I could. Added a chapter to my adventurous life. :)

This was the tail. The rehabber said it should not have had stripes?

The barring on the tail is normal for Red-tailed Hawk - look at the cover pic on Sibley's Bird Guide!

Any way of getting updates on its progress?

Resin

So glad for a rescue. Not everyone has the nerve to approach a raptor.

So glad things turned out so well. I would have been at a loss as to how to even attempt to keep the bird until a rehabber could be located.

Wonderful job!

Great job Cajun!

Tanks. I do feel a bit proud of myself. :) I am going to call the rehabber and get the teacher's number so i can get an update on the bird. I'd love to know how it does. I got kinda fond of it.