Young Cooper’s Hawks found in the Socorro Plaza

Last Thursday, two young Cooper’s Hawks were found wandering in the plaza after apparently falling from their nest. It is believed that there were originally four birds: one remained in the nest, and three others spotted on Thursday that eventually went missing.

Under the guidance of state and federally permitted wildlife rehabilitators Jennifer Keller and falconer Matt Mitchell, the two birds were originally returned to the tree. Unfortunately, at least two of them were later taken from the plaza.

“Even with the best intentions to care for a wild animal you will find that it does not end well for the animal. Every species requires a specific diet, treatment of injuries and knowledge of behavior, habitat and training for its release back into the wild to hunt or forage for food,” said Keller.

Keller and Mitchell want the community to understand the importance of minimal interference with young birds and the serious implications of attempting to raise them.

“So there’s somebody out there who’s got this baby who’s not going to feed it appropriately,” Keller said on Saturday.

Luckily two of the birds, taken by individuals, were eventually released to Mitchell, but the whereabouts of the others are still unknown.

Keller emphasized that feeding wild birds improperly can lead to metabolic bone disease, resulting in bones that fracture easily like glass. This condition causes severe pain, making it difficult for birds to walk or fly, and can ultimately lead to death.

She said that birds learn hunting skills from their parents. Therefore, even if an untrained individual raises a bird and survives, it is likely to die of starvation if released into the wild.

Mitchell explained that he was alerted when a woman who had taken one of the birds from the plaza was proudly displaying it at a gas station. Fortunately, he was able to retrieve the bird and take it to his rehabilitation center for birds.

Keller said it’s not only a death sentence for people to attempt to raise baby birds, there are significant legal considerations because it is illegal to remove native or migratory birds.

“You’re not allowed to knock down nests on buildings or anything like that. During nesting time, you’re not allowed to take a bird. They’re all protected except for three invasive species. Anything that’s a native bird, a migratory bird, is protected,” Keller said.

She and Mitchell both agree that the babies spotted in the plaza were likely overheating in their nest.

“So what’s happening is, when it gets to that extreme heat. I know Socorro has been really intensely hot this week, and the babies are frying in the nest, and so they start failing,” Keller said.

Mitchell and Kellerboth emphasized that birds cannot smell humans on their babies unlike mammals, so it’s okay to move them. With nestlings who aren’t ready to leave the nest, it’s best to put the babies back in the nest or at least in the tree if they are on the ground.

They noted that with fledglings, young birds learning to fly, almost always, the parents are nearby watching their young, so intervention is unnecessary unless there is a nearby danger.

If you find a young bird...
Do not immediately remove the bird from its location.

Check if the bird is a nestling or fledgling:

- Nestlings (no feathers) should be carefully returned to the nest if possible
- Fledglings (with feathers) are learning to fly and parents are likely nearby

Only intervene if the bird is:

- Visibly injured
- In immediate danger
- Orphaned (no parents around)

If intervention is necessary:

Contact local wildlife rehabilitators, take the bird to a vet clinic, or Call US Fish and Wildlife or the Game and Fish Department.

Do not attempt to feed the bird as it can be harmful. Keep the bird in a warm quiet location away from children and pets until you are able to transport it to a rehabilitator.

Common misunderstanding:

Birds do not smell humans on their babies and will not abandon them if you put them back in their nest.