A Rare Rescue Begins to Take Flight

In early May, our Raptor Hospital received an urgent call about a grounded hawk that was unable to fly. As is standard practice, our team requested photos to help assess the situation before dispatching. What came through immediately caught everyone’s attention, this was no ordinary Red-tailed Hawk. 

The bird displayed striking white plumage, a mark of leucism, a rare genetic condition that causes a partial loss of pigmentation in feathers, skin, or fur. Unlike albinism, leucism does not affect eye color and can appear in varying degrees across individuals. In this case, the hawk’s unusual coloring made it especially distinctive and immediately recognizable in the field. 

A volunteer was quickly dispatched to safely locate, capture, and transport the bird to our hospital. Once admitted, our team conducted a full intake exam and confirmed a fracture in the ulna of the left wing. Follow-up radiographs revealed a second fracture, providing a clearer picture of the injuries the hawk had sustained. 

While the diagnosis was serious, we were encouraged to find that surgery was not required. Instead, the hawk began a carefully managed recovery plan that included stabilization, rest, pain management, and close monitoring by our veterinary staff and rehabilitators. Over the following weeks, the bird steadily progressed, responding well to treatment and regaining strength. 

Today, Red-tailed Hawk #27754 has reached an important milestone in its rehabilitation journey. The bird has moved into a larger flight enclosure where it can safely exercise, rebuild muscle tone, and practice sustained flight in preparation for release back into the wild. 

This remarkable patient is a powerful reminder of the diversity and resilience of the wildlife we serve, and the critical role rehabilitation plays in giving injured raptors a second chance at life in the wild.