The Hawk.

[Tawmis]

So today on my way to work - just before I was about to exit the freeway for my work - I saw two hawks diving at one another, close to the freeway - unfortunately a diesel truck struck one of them (and didn't even stop) - I was about three cars back and immediately pulled over and ran out onto the freeway to stop cars from striking the downed hawk. I went to pick it up and it scrambled into another lane, where another car may have hit it (or just missed it, I couldn't tell it was on the other side of my car). I managed to get to the Hawk and pick it up and put it in the back seat of my car (it was still alive and breathing). My wife, who works close to me, is where I decided to go. As I was driving there, the hawk got up on two feet, so he seemed aware (if not dazed). Got a big box from the wife's work (they package toys and such) and poked a mess of holes into it and put him in there and taped it up (in case he decided to try to fly).

She's calling Animal Rescue to see if someone can pick him up; or if not she will run it over to them on her lunch in an hour. Considering he was hit by a truck every minute counts. So strange as it sounds, well wishes towards this hawk would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping he survives and is able to return to the wild in due time.

[BBP]

The poor creature! I hope he pulls through!

It's amazing if you can get so close to such an amazing bird of prey, particularly a wild one. Did you make any photos?

[Tawmis]

The poor creature! I hope he pulls through!

It's amazing if you can get so close to such an amazing bird of prey, particularly a wild one. Did you make any photos?

I didn't take any photos. Because it had been hit, and I was already running late for work; my entire concern was getting it to my wife so she could call animal rescue. He was a very beautiful bird.

[Tawmis]

Aim is taking the Hawk to animal rescue now. I asked her if there's any way we could be kept up to date on its status when she drops it off.

[Tawmis]

Update, Amiee dropped off the Hawk. He's currently being given pain medicine. Aim sent me two pictures, I will include.

[Collector]

I am glad that you were around to help. Hawks are intelligent birds and are vital in helping to keep vermin populations down. I wonder if the 2nd hawk is its mate.

[Tawmis]

I am glad that you were around to help. Hawks are intelligent birds and are vital in helping to keep vermin populations down. I wonder if the 2nd hawk is its mate.

I asked the wife to have them email me with updates; they said it may be awhile (which I said was fine; I was concerned that they'd have to say there's nothing they could do and put the hawk down then and there... if it takes awhile for the hawk to recover, then it's going to live... and that's what matters). Sadly, if it was it's mate, I doubt it's going to be released in the same area (should it ever fully recover), and even so it's a long path to recovery, so the mate would be without it for quite some time. It's amazing the first hawk wasn't struck either. They were literally dive bombing one another VERY close to each other. That truck must have missed the first hawk by mere inches.

Both would have been fine, had it not been a truck. But it was the height of the truck that struck the second one. Though, one of their dives was car level. No idea if they were "playing" or "fighting" when they were diving at one another.

[Collector]

No idea if they were "playing" or "fighting" when they were diving at one another.

Might have been after prey that had wandered near the freeway.

[Tawmis]

No idea if they were "playing" or "fighting" when they were diving at one another.

Might have been after prey that had wandered near the freeway.

Well they were a few lanes into the freeway. And diving fast - at what appeared to be - one another. Like I said, the second hawk that was struck, was literally flying right behind the first hawk, which is why it's amazing the first wasn't struck either, because they were inches apart from one another.

First one may have had prey, and the second may have been trying to get it; which is why they were probably both so oblivious to the giant 18 wheeler coming at them.

[Tawmis]

More news, when the hawk is indeed rehabilitated; they will release the hawk within 3 miles of where it was found.

So that's pretty cool. I hope it's learned its lesson and stays away from the freeway.

[Maiandra]

Wow. What an experience, for both you and the hawk! Lucky that you were able to stop and help it. They are amazing creatures and I'm happy to hear it will be fine.

Thanks for posting the photos, that was very cool to see.

[Collector]

Except for the tail, it looks similar to the red-tailed hawks we have around here.

[BBP]

Ah that's great news! And thank you for posting the pictures!
By Dutch law, if a car hits an animal, the driver needs to pull over and call the police, or else it's a hit 'n run. The police then contacts the forest owners who can get their staff to locate the injured animal, even if it ran away from the initial contact.
Not sure if that's also law in the US, but if it is, I hope you got that truck's license plate number. Or at least any names that were written on it.

[Rath Darkblade]

I guess I'm late for this, but I just wanted to add my voice to say: poor hawk! I hate to see animals abused, and then having that truck drive away is even worse. Grr.

However, I'm glad you were around to help it back up, and that it's going to live. Kudos, Tawm and Aim.

[Tawmis]

Except for the tail, it looks similar to the red-tailed hawks we have around here.

It's indeed a Redtail Hawk. Having read the Wiki; I wonder if it was a mating issue that was happening. The wiki even shows two hawks diving and notes it's a mating ritual.

Ah that's great news! And thank you for posting the pictures!
By Dutch law, if a car hits an animal, the driver needs to pull over and call the police, or else it's a hit 'n run. The police then contacts the forest owners who can get their staff to locate the injured animal, even if it ran away from the initial contact.
Not sure if that's also law in the US, but if it is, I hope you got that truck's license plate number. Or at least any names that were written on it.

I am not sure if it's the law here. No one does, if it is. Sadly I got neither the license plate nor the company truck or anything - my immediate concern, once I saw the hawk struck was to follow where the hawk was landing. So the truck, driving 65MPH was long gone, by the time I stopped my car, stopped traffic in one lane, and recovered the hawk.

I guess I'm late for this, but I just wanted to add my voice to say: poor hawk! I hate to see animals abused, and then having that truck drive away is even worse. Grr.

However, I'm glad you were around to help it back up, and that it's going to live. Kudos, Tawm and Aim.

Thank you!