The Viral Hawk That Could Not Fly After Feasting on Chickens Is Finally Back in the Air

A red-shouldered hawk that ended up too heavy to fly after apparently helping herself to a neighbour's free-range chickens is making a comeback. After more than a month of diet and exercise, the bird is back in the air, even if her return to the wild is still some way off.

The hawk was taken in by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke after being found stuck on the ground in a driveway. Staff examined her and found no obvious injuries or other health problems, which made the real issue stand out quickly.

She weighed more than 910 grams, or about 2 pounds. According to the wildlife center, she had apparently spent weeks eating a neighbour's free-range chickens and then sleeping in nearby trees, a routine that left her too overweight to get airborne.

Back in the air, but not ready for release

In a Facebook update, the center said the bird has now lost about 130 grams, or 4.6 ounces, in a little over a month. The progress came through a combination of diet and exercise, and the result is something staff had been waiting to see. She is flying again.

That does not mean she is ready to head straight back into the wild. The center said she is still significantly overweight for an adult red-shouldered hawk. Even with the weight she has already lost, she can only manage four or five laps around her flight pen before she becomes exhausted.

Staff made clear there is still plenty of work ahead before release becomes an option.

A rehab update that people could not stop following

The hawk had already drawn widespread attention when the center first revealed that she was simply too fat to fly. The story stood out because the usual explanations for a grounded wild bird, such as injury or illness, were not the problem in this case.

Her latest update kept that interest going. The wildlife center said it had been amazed by how strongly people reacted to her recovery story and thanked everyone who had been following along.

There is still no confirmed date for her release. For now, the milestone is smaller but still significant. A hawk that had eaten herself out of the sky is flying again, one short set of laps at a time.

Why a hawk may be unable to fly

Hawks are birds of prey built for short bursts of power, sharp turns and carrying relatively light prey. After a big meal, the food first sits in the crop, a storage pouch in the throat area, before digestion continues. If a hawk has gorged itself, especially on an easy food source, it can become too heavy or too uncomfortable to take off right away. That can look dramatic, but sometimes the bird simply needs time to digest.

A grounded hawk is not always just full, though. Trouble flying can also be caused by injury, illness, poisoning, parasites or a collision with a fence, car or window. Warning signs include drooping wings, sitting in the open for a long time, laboured breathing, obvious wounds, one eye closed, or little reaction when people approach. A healthy wild hawk usually tries hard to keep its distance.

What to do if you find one on the ground

The safest first step is to give the bird space and keep children and pets away. Hawks can defend themselves with their feet and beak, and stress can make things worse. Do not try to feed it meat or force water, because that can cause choking or further harm.

If the bird is in immediate danger, such as near traffic, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, rescue service, vet or animal control agency for advice. If you are told to contain it and can do so safely, use thick gloves and a towel or blanket, place the bird in a ventilated cardboard box, and keep the box somewhere dark, quiet and warm until help arrives. Less handling is usually better.

Protecting chickens without harming wildlife

Hawks are natural predators and are often drawn to places where prey is easy to catch. For people keeping chickens, the most effective protection is physical cover. A secure run with a solid roof or strong netting, sheltered hiding spots and supervised free ranging all reduce risk.

It also helps to remove feed spills that attract rodents, because rodents can draw in raptors. Avoid using poison for pest control if possible. Birds of prey can be harmed by eating poisoned animals. Motion devices, visual deterrents and changing the birds' routine can help in some settings, but barriers are usually more reliable. Good coop design protects poultry while allowing hawks to keep doing their useful job in the wider environment.