Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Falconry Bird Reunited With Owner

Several months ago, a falconer from Butler County came home to find his Red-Tailed Hawk was missing from her enclosure.

It had been spotted several times, and unsuccessful attempts were made to capture the loose bird of pry.

The Red-Tailed Hawk had leather bracelets on its legs,and could be fairly easy to identify. However, it wandered form the area.

The falconer thought he had lost her forever.

Then last month the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Dispatcher from Franklin, PA called The Center to see if we would be interested in rehabilitating a Red-Tailed Hawk with leather bracelets. It was obviously a falconry bird, but not sure who it belonged to. The falconer from Butler was unable to be contacted.

The Red-Tailed Hawk was found on the ground in Clarion County. The Game Commission officer who captured the bird wasn't sure it could be saved. It was very light in weight, and not real responsive. By the time we met the officer, the bird had perked up and was standing.

The bird was hydrated at The Center, and was being weaned onto solid food when we received a call from a falconer.

He identified the bird, with a precise description of its color, and how the leather bracelets were made.

7:00 in the morning after the call, the falconer came for his bird.

It was a very exciting reunion.

Both were very fortunate to be able to meet again.