This call came in just as I was wrapping up work. I was about to put out a call for volunteers when I heard the address. Less than three-quarters of a mile from my house.


Was this another one of my arch-enemies? A new generation of my sworn foes? Should I raise it to hate and seek revenge on its parents? A legacy of vengeance in the making?! ? I don�t know, but what I do know is that we have up to six pairs of Cooper�s hawks lurking around us at any given time, all just waiting for a shot at the pigeons.


Why they bother, I have no idea. The pigeons are faster, more agile, and just all-around better fliers. They also know they have home-field advantage. They�ll bank at full speed, thread the needle through the pigeon gate, and then slam on the brakes inside. If a hawk tries to follow? Bad life choices. The gate is not hawk-friendly. Hawks don�t have the brakes pigeons do, so they�ll come in hot and end up pancaking into the back of the pen. I�ve had to save a couple of very confused hawks that learned this lesson the hard way.


The only time the hawks stand a chance is if they catch a pigeon sleeping or sitting still, which is rare. Even then, there�s always a lookout. Pigeons know they�re prey animals, and they act accordingly.


I obviously don�t want them to get eaten. Every single one of these pigeons was either rescued or hatched from rescues I�ve taken in over the years. Mostly ex-racers and homers�birds that, for whatever reason, didn�t make it back home. Their owners didn�t care, didn�t look for them, and left them to fend for themselves. So yeah, I�ve spent a ridiculous amount of money making sure they�re safe, but I also want them to live. Like, really live.


Flying is in their blood. Watching them take off, circle higher and higher, pushing the boundaries of their freedom but always coming back�that�s what they�re meant to do. We live next to a big graveyard, and over the years, a lot of solid white pigeons have found their way to us. Seeing 50-60 large white birds soaring around? It�s a sight to behold.


They always stay within sight, never truly leaving, just spiraling in endless, graceful loops. I wish our parrots could have that kind of freedom, too. But unlike pigeons, our parrots aren�t built for that kind of flight anymore. They wouldn�t make it. They just don’t have the muscle mass from many hours spend in the air. Plus most of them would get lost never to return. They just don’t have the same homing skills.


So, for now, the pigeons soar, the hawks lurk, and I keep wondering if today is the day I accidentally helped raise a nemesis. ????

What to do if you find an injured hawk?

If you find an injured hawk,�contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control/game agency immediately.�They can assess the situation and provide the best care for the bird.�
Here’s a more detailed breakdown: https://bestfriends.org/pet-care-resources/how-help-injured-wild-bird

Assess the Situation:
*Is the bird truly injured?�
*Look for signs like:
*Quiet, dull, or fluffed feathers.�
*Obvious wounds, breathing problems, drooping wings, or inability to stand.�
*Not flying away when approached.�https://vet.tufts.edu/tufts-wildlife-clinic/found-wildlife/what-do-if-you-found-sick-or-injured-bird
*If it’s a fledgling (young bird),�its parents may still be nearby and caring for it, so it may not need immediate intervention.�

Contact Professionals:
*Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator:�These professionals have the expertise to care for injured or orphaned wildlife.�
*Local Animal Control/Game Agency:�They can advise on the best course of action and potentially help with capture and transport.�

If You Choose to Capture the Bird (with caution):
*Use a large, thick towel to cover the bird:�and make a “bird burrito” for safe handling.�
*Place the bird in a sturdy, tall box:�(large enough for it to stand up) for transport.�https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IztK9FvqSM

Do Not:
*Try to feed the bird:�without professional guidance.�
*Handle the bird unnecessarily,�as this can cause further stress or injury.�
*Assume you can care for the bird yourself:�unless you have experience and resources.�

Some of our other stories ?

https://rfpsinc.com/the-story-that-never-got-shared-despite-all-that-hype-dont-trust-robots-to-do-things-you-can-do-yourself-know-for-sure-they-are-done-right-js-this-story-did-happen-tho-and-it-was-pretty-scar/
https://rfpsinc.com/1230-am-02-04-2025-pigeon-steals-snacks-from-local-eatery-becomes-a-nuisance-a-banded-pigeon-and-what-to-do-if-one-finds-you/
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