Hawk Shot With BB Gun Rehabilitated And Released In The Peninsula

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A rehabilitated hawk was released after it was found 10 weeks ago on a picnic table with an open wound to the top of her head from a BB gun, humane society officials in San Mateo County said Thursday.

The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA released a red-shoulder hawk earlier this month in San Jose after performing surgery and rehabilitating the hawk for 10 weeks.

The hawk was found on a picnic table in a San Jose park unable to fly and was brought to the PHS/SPCA’s wildlife intake center in San Jose in late July.

An X-ray showed the hawk had an open wound at the top of her head and right eye tearing and swelling after being shot by a BB gun.

She also tested positive for lead.

A wildlife veterinarian performed surgery to remove the BB.

The hawk's spirited recovery after surgery was a positive indicator, but her journey back to full health was far from complete. The BB had severely damaged her right eye, leaving her with minimal to no vision. Red-shouldered hawks are nighttime hunters, requiring perfect eyesight to navigate dense forests and pursue their swift prey.

A rigorous two-month journey began to heal her eye.

"We are thrilled to report she fully recovered, and her vision returned to normal,” said Colleen Crowley, PHS/SPCA Communications Manager. "The hawk spent the last few weeks in the Wildlife Care Center raptor aviaries amongst the trees."