Hawks Aloft, Inc.
Conservation, Avian Research, and Education
PO Box 10028 - Albuquerque, NM 87184 - (505) 828-9455

 

Raptor Rescue!

Hawks Aloft works directly with many organizations throughout New Mexico to care for injured raptors, and to solve bird mitigation issues.  Read 'How to Help an Injured Raptor' for more information on handling injured raptors.

These Ferruginous Hawk chicks were found in a nest along the high-wall of an active mine in northern New Mexico.  The nest was in danger, and the young needed to be rescued.  The eggs were hatched in an incubator, raised by an educational bird, and then released into the wild. 

Luckily, Hawks Aloft has many educational birds that are willing to take on the responsibility of caring for young, regardless of their species.  On the left, one of our female Swainson’s Hawks is taking good care of the Ferruginous Hawk chicks.  The picture on the right shows how big the chicks have grown.  They are on their way to a new facility where they will learn how to hunt, and care for themselves.  Once this is done, they will be released back into the wild!

Many companies help Hawks Aloft with their mitigation efforts.  Power companies often find raptor nests on power lines, and exercise the proper protocol for moving nests to a safer location.  For more information on the important efforts Hawks Aloft and other New Mexico companies are doing to limit raptor electrocution, see the New Mexico Avian Protection pages.  The Central New Mexico Electric Coop (CNMEC) received the Hawks Aloft 2004 Conservation Award for their efforts to protect nesting Ferruginous Hawks in the Estancia Valley.  This rural, electric cooperative responded immediately when they learned of an active Ferruginous nest in their area.  They worked with Will Keeley, Hawks Aloft staff member and graduate student at Boise State University.  They provided a bucket truck and crew to install a video camera to monitor prey deliveries to the young.  Then, after the young fledged, they returned, dismantled the equipment on the power pole, and lifted and replaced the original nest on a new, safe nesting platform.  The cost to the CNMEC was considerable.  We salute them for their proactive efforts to protect Ferruginous Hawks.