Lady Hawk: Injured Swainson’s Hawk makes it back to the sky after roadside rescue

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — What began as an ordinary drive along a Bonneville County backroad turned into a memorable wildlife rescue story when my wife and I spotted something unusual in the middle of the road; a juvenile Swainson’s hawk in distress.

Using a few supplies from my vehicle, we managed to safely secure the hawk before reaching out to local authorities. Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon McIntier took custody of the young female bird and transported her across state lines to the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, where we met up with the center's CEO, Amy McCarthy.

The Teton Raptor Center treats roughly 200 injured or orphaned birds of prey each year, combining veterinary rehabilitation with public education programs. Unfortunately, stories like our hawk’s are far from rare.

“We get about 200 birds a year that come in for all kinds of reasons, about 80% from human conflict,” said Kara DeShazo, the center's rehabilitation coordinator. “We try to rehabilitate them and take them back to where they were found.”

After a few weeks of specialized treatment, DeShazo called us with incredible news: the young hawk was fully healed, and we were invited to perform the release. The hawk was retrieved from the center's flight barn, where recovering birds regain their flying strength before returning to nature.

I carefully transported the hawk in a release box back to Eastern Idaho, choosing a park near the open fields where she was first found. When I opened the box door, she didn't hesitate. She hopped out, took a quick look around, and soared effortlessly back into the sky. Obviously, she was ready to get out of here.

What to Do If You Find an Injured Raptor

If you happen to find an injured hawk, eagle, owl, or bird of prey, don't hesitate to contact the Teton Raptor Center or reach out to your local county animal control or state wildlife agency. For more information, click HERE.