A Hawk Stuck in a Tree?

When people think about injured raptors, they often imagine collisions with cars or windows, poisoning, or entanglement in man-made structures. While these are common reasons raptors are admitted to the Carolina Raptor Center’s Raptor Hospital, there are also unusual and unexpected situations—like hawks getting stuck in trees!

One such case involved Patient #26665, a Red-shouldered Hawk that became trapped in a Crepe Myrtle tree. Though this might sound odd, it’s not our first time encountering this problem. Since 2019, we’ve rescued four Red-shouldered Hawks from Crepe Myrtle trees.

Why Do Hawks Get Trapped in Trees?

Crepe Myrtle trees are known for their dense, intertwined branches, which can pose challenges for raptors navigating through them. Hawks might find themselves entangled while chasing prey or trying to maneuver in the thick foliage. Patient #26665 was carefully freed from her predicament and transported to our hospital for a full evaluation.

Thankfully, this hawk only suffered mild dehydration and made a speedy recovery. Within a week, she was ready to spread her wings and return to the wild!

From the Common to the Curious

Every year, the Carolina Raptor Center treats 800–1,000 injured raptors, with cases ranging from the common to the downright unusual. In addition to unique rescues like hawks trapped in trees, we frequently care for birds impacted by:

• Car and window collisions
• Poisoning from human-related toxins
• Entanglement in nets, wires, or other structures

Our mission is to give these incredible birds a second chance at life, no matter the circumstances.

Join Our Team of Raptor Rescuers

Rescuing raptors like Patient #26665 wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated Raptor Rescue Volunteers. These trained individuals respond to reports of injured raptors, safely retrieve them, and transport them to our hospital for treatment.

If you’re passionate about wildlife and want to help, we’d love to have you on our team! Learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Carolina Raptor Center by visiting Carolina Raptor Center Volunteer Opportunities.