First Hawk Chicks of the Season Arrive

Baby season is in full swing here at the Carolina Raptor Center. Throughout April, our rehabilitation hospital admitted dozens of owl nestlings, including Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, and Eastern Screech Owls (stay tuned—photos to come!). As May approached, our team eagerly anticipated the arrival of the season’s first young hawk patient. 

Right on cue, our first hawk chick of the year arrived on May 9. Patient #27749, a nestling Red-shouldered Hawk, was admitted after falling from its nest. Although the parents were still seen nearby, the nest was too high to safely return the chick. Due to the height of the fall, our team conducted thorough examinations to rule out fractures or other injuries. Fortunately, this resilient young hawk showed no signs of major trauma. Even better, the very next day, a second Red-shouldered Hawk nestling—patient #27767—was admitted to our care. 

Pairing these two young hawks together is critical. Raptor babies are at high risk of imprinting on humans if they are not raised alongside members of their own species. Imprinting is how young animals learn species identification and essential survival behaviors from their parents. Without proper care, a raptor that imprints on humans may never develop the skills needed to survive in the wild. 

To prevent imprinting and encourage natural development, we: 

• Limit human interaction, keeping talking and handling to a minimum outside of feeding and necessary care  

• Use camouflage and puppets during feedings to disguise human features  

• House young raptors together whenever possible so they can learn from one another  

• Introduce foster “role model” adults when appropriate to guide behavior  

Over the coming weeks, both hawks will progress through a series of specialized enclosures and flight tests to build the strength and skills they need for life in the wild. 

Interested in being part of a raptor’s journey back to freedom? You can apply for our Release-A-Raptor program and experience the unforgettable moment of releasing a rehabilitated bird back into its natural habitat.