An injured red-tailed hawk who had become a familiar presence to staff at a Virginia airport is now on the road to recovery, after being found grounded near a runway.
Workers at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Virginia, spotted the hawk on the airfield, unable to get enough lift to fly and at serious risk from aircraft traffic. Realizing the bird was in a perilous state, the workers carefully contained him against a fence so he could be safely transported for care.
The hawk was taken to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, where a veterinarian has been assessing and treating the injuries that left him grounded. Staff at the center expect him to make a full recovery and say he will likely be returned to the area in the coming weeks once he is strong enough to fly again.
According to the wildlife center, this hawk wasn’t just passing through the airport. He and his mate are seen regularly there, and are believed to help keep other birds away from the runway — a natural form of deterrence that can reduce the risk of bird strikes.
Staff at the wildlife center also noted that it’s currently raptor mating season, which makes the separation especially poignant. Knowing that his partner is reportedly still waiting in the area — red-tailed hawks typically mate for life, often staying with the same partner until one dies, is injured, or disappears — makes the bird’s safe return even more crucial.
LFT is grateful to the compassionate airport staff and wildlife rehabilitators who stepped in to help this hawk when he needed it most. Their quick action offers a powerful reminder of how much kindness can matter for animals living at the edges of human spaces.
