Red-shouldered hawk

A frequent cause of injury or death experienced by raptors involves collisions with mechanical devices such as vehicles. The immature red-shouldered hawk shown here was the unfortunate victim of such an encounter.

Had the hawk survived the blow, it might have ended up in the care of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center (DVRC) in Milford, PA, which rehabilitates raptors. DVRC’s Stephanie Streeter said the center is currently caring for approximately 40 birds, ranging from eagles to sawhet owls. The most recent arrival is an imprinted kestrel found on a ground-floor flower box on NYC’s Park Avenue.

While DVRC director Bill Streeter works, the kestrel sits on a perch in the clinic office, curious about everything that is going on. As an imprint, she is completely unafraid of people. Because she cannot be returned to the wild, Bill is building a bond with her so that she can serve as an education bird. Attend the DVRC’s next public programs on January 17, in Narrowsburg, NY, during EagleFest and the following day at the Lackawaxen Firehouse in Lackawaxen, PA.

“The red-shouldered hawk is part of a statistic that always astounds me,” said Stephanie. “Roads are deadly for hawks. Depending upon the species, 70 to 90 percent of first-year raptors do not make it to their first birthday. Many are victims of vehicles, although starvation from lack of hunting skills takes its toll, as do accidents because of inexperience.”

Support the important work of the DVRC by becoming a member. Visit dvrconline.org or call 570/296-6025 for details.