West Nile Virus Strikes A Red-Tailed Hawk

The following story about a red-tailed hawk was submitted by World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri.

Meet red-tailed hawk 21-341. This hawk was found unresponsive in a yard in St. Louis on July 16, 2021. Upon intake at the World Bird Sanctuary, 341 was emaciated and exhibiting severe neurological symptoms, including regular seizures.

After several diagnostic tests, it was determined that 341 suffered from West Nile Virus. At 776 grams (about 1.7 pounds), 341 scored only a 1.5 in body condition. In addition to meds to help with the WNV symptoms, he was fed a diet of Emeraid IC Carnivore tubed four times per day.

He quickly had clean rabbit meat added to his diet. Over the next week, the tubing diet was reduced to three times per day, and then twice per day as his ability to process solid food increased. 341 showed great weight gain and was up to 1,080 grams (about 2.4 pounds) and a 3 body condition score by July 30.

But 341 still had a ways to go in recovery, because he still had residual neurological symptoms. He did not act like a normal red-tailed hawk. Staff could walk directly up to the bird in an outdoor enclosure and touch him without him reacting. Over time, 341 became more aware and would fly away from people.

In early September, he was put through live prey testing to determine release readiness, but he failed. After a week of failing to catch anything, he was moved back to dead food. After another month of continuing to show neurological improvement, he was given a second chance at live prey. This time, he performed spectacularly.

He had gained more than 200 grams (about 0.4 pounds) and outcompeted the other hawks in the flight. Hawk 341 was released on October 21 weighing 1,252 grams (about 2.8 pounds) with a 4 body condition score.