Red-Tailed Hawk Suffers Triple Trouble

The following story about a red-tailed hawk was shared with us by Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Colorado.

In late August a stricken red-tailed hawk was found by Good Samaritans in Fort Collins, Colorado. They had spotted the recently fledged bird attempting to fly but dragging its right wing.

Upon admission to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, the hawk was emaciated at 864 grams (about 1.9 pounds), dehydrated, and suffering from a right ulnar fracture. After the young patient was stabilized and rehydrated, it was determined EmerAid IC Carnivore food was the best option for recovery.

The hawk was tube-fed small meals BID over a course of four days to ensure that the bird’s metabolism had a chance to adjust to the increase in nutrients and calories. After that, it easily transitioned onto a whole food diet.

Although the bird rebounded quickly from its emaciation, and the fracture was healing in good alignment, the young hawk’s immunocompromised state meant that it was not out of the woods yet. Although a course of antibiotics and prophylactic antifungals were administered to ward off infections, the staff noticed two small but eruptive lesions developing on the left foot. Suspecting avian pox, the bird was quarantined.

Impression smears taken of the lesions confirmed the pox diagnosis and new lesions continued to erupt over the next few weeks. It took nearly five months for the lesions to resolve so that the young hawk could complete the last steps of its rehabilitation journey.

After successful flight conditioning and live-prey testing, the feisty youngster finally got its second chance at freedom. After just over 200 days in recovery, the hawk had overcome emaciation by gaining 462 grams (about 1 pound), a fractured wing, and a protracted viral infection.