Over the Thanksgiving week a first year Red Shouldered Hawk flew into a window. The window shattered and the hawk was severely cut. The homeowner gently scooped the bird up and contained it. By the time it got to the Wildlife Center it was in shock. An initial exam showed a gaping hole in its neck which was deep enough slice open its esophagus.
The hawk was rushed into surgery where Dr. Brenda Flores skillfully stitched up the inner wound. The external neck wound was cleaned and attended to. The day after surgery the hawk was standing and feeling feisty. He will be gavage fed for several days while his wounds heal.
Miraculously its wings are in fine shape and no other injuries were found. He will spend the next several weeks in rehabilitation and it is hoped he will have an end of the year release. 
This year the WR&E Wildlife Center was honored with the task of rehabilitating many of these amazing creatures. The Houston area experienced a late spring and summer drought that brought many young Red Shoulder fledglings to the Wildlife Center. These birds were hydrated, fed, and flight conditioned. Thanks go to the team efforts of rescuers, caregivers and donor supporters that so many of these awesome birds of prey were given A Place to Grow A Place to Heal A Place to be Wild.
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