Red-Tailed Hawk

Description:

Large hawk. One of the most common hawks in America.

Habitat:

Open field near tree cover.

Notes:

I was driving to work this morning when I noticed this poor hawk with an injured left wing. I turned my truck around and pulled out my camera. She was a large hawk with visible damage to the left carpus region of his wing. It must have been uncomfortable as she lets the wing droop low. There was no visible blood but you could tell she was missing some feathers. I have never noticed this hawk before so it makes me think it's a new injury to one of the resident red-tails. Although it was noticeably uncomfortable, she flew fine, with no issues at all. Once I saw that she could fly, I left her alone. I could only imagine that flying, lifting your entire body weight into the air with an injury must not be pleasant, so I left her alone to rest and recover! Hopefullys he stays out of trouble! Update 5/1/2013 I've now watched this hawk for over a year. She is a HE as his mate is much larger! He is apparently a year round resident near my house. He has a mate, hunts but still droops his wing. I now wonder if this was an old injury (when I first saw him) that just healed funny. It doesn't seem to imped his ability to thrive.