An Exercise in Patience

Every animal is an individual, every encounter has something to teach. Having banded hundreds of raptors, and having rescued a couple of dozen from buildings, I thought the capture of this Cooper’s Hawk in an Oakland joinery shop would be the usual smooth, predictable 10-minute operation. Instead it took two days of effort, trying various techniques and methods. Just as I was ready to quit and come back for a third day, the hawk inexplicably behaved “normally” and was trapped, examined, and released on-site. Working with wild animals is a great antidote to cockiness.

Hawks trying to escape from buildings have a tendency to fly upward. Large industrial spaces often have exposed roof or ceiling structures that provide perching where the bird may feel safe in this strange environment, but which discourage the bird from moving lower toward the exit and escaping on its own.

Assessing the captured hawk’s condition is essential. A bird that is ill, injured, severely emaciated, or dehydrated will be transported to a nearby licensed rehabilitation facility for veterinary care. This bird was in excellent condition and was released on-site, outdoors near a tall redwood tree to provide it with a safe recovery space, where it can perch, preen, orient itself, and return to its territory and routine.

Some believe we can never truly understand the perceptions and feelings of other creatures, but to the extent we can, I have never seen a raptor more clearly overjoyed to be taken outdoors. The instant he saw the sky he called excitedly, flapped his wings powerfully while still in hand, and flew fast and high upon release. Very gratifying

(Photos by Peter Meyer)