Patient of the Week: March 13, 2014

On Sunday, March 9, 2014, a sharp-shinned hawk was admitted to the wildlife rehabilitation hospital.  The bird flew into a window, suffering significant bruising and a ruptured air sac.

We actually know quite a bit about this hawk. In addition to the exact location of the site where she was injured (a coffee shop in Benicia), this hawk has a small, metal federal band on her right leg. Hospital staff entered the band number to a national database and learned that she hatched in 2012, near Sausalito, CA. She was banded in September 2012 and identified as female.

Prognosis is very good – there were no broken bones, she has a great appetite, and her injuries are healing well.  Wildlife technician Marcia Metzler estimates she could be released some time in mid-April 2014.