We’re heard plenty about birds hitting planes since the USAIR crash into the Hudson last year. But what about birds hit by planes? An Illinois red-tailed hawk somehow got hit by a crashing private plane (or its fireball), caught fire and survived. Or at least that’s the going theory of the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which took in the singed bird.
Tragically two men in their 30s died in the crash in Sugar Grove. But four people, including two kids, in a very close house survived.
Then rescuers found the bird with all its feathers burned off. They figure it’s a red-tailed hawk–by far the most common hawk–and a female, the bigger of the species. But that’s just a guess, the center’s blog say:
Burned beyond positive species identification, Phoenix was recovered by Kane County Animal Control and was promptly transferred to Flint Creek Wildlife for emergency care. Since that time four nights ago, she has been receiving around-the-clock care for her injuries.
“When I saw the bird, I was shocked,” said Dawn Keller, the center’s executive director. “This was nothing like I’ve ever seen. It had to have been engulfed.” She only has down left and has burnt feet, throat and eyelids. Still the center will work to release her if she is able. Otherwise “Phoenix” will become an education bird.
Keller had to explain to the local media that Phoenix was not guilty of causing the crash. “The crash happened after dark, which means she
Keep reading Hawk Hit By Plane Recovering From Burns
 The NYPD took the last of the three Houston Street baby hawks into custody last night. Now all three eyasses are in the custody of wildlife rehabber and fireman Bobby Horvath, who hopes to have them back in the area within a week.Documentary filmmaker Adam Welz did an amazing job chronicling the drama. The third hawk flew across the street ok, but ran into trouble flying back. It flew into the school building (where its nest sits on an air conditioner). The hawk tried to cling to the wall, failed, then fell to busy Houston Street.The hawk watchers swooped in, stopped traffic and picked up the hawk in a shirt. The commotion caused a car accident. The hawk people got the hawk to the yard of the project across the street and wanted to release it. Meanwhile, somebody called 911. The cops came, took the hawk into custody. The hawk guys argued the bird should be left alone. The cops took him up to the dreaded ACC, but Bobby sprung him.
Where to See Animals Around New York CityAccesible Places To See Hawks
To see more animals go to animaltourism.com
 Carolina Raptor Center, Just N. of Charlotte, NCShelby greets you as you enter the Raptor Center and she’s annoyed with you (if you’re a dog, for example) she is likely to puff up like she here. Shelby is a great ambassador to the world of injured big birds of prey. Her story is sad, but not that uncommon. She was caught in a leg trap, beaten, then discarded in a dumpster. Someone found her and brought her to the Carolina Raptor Center, which rehabilitates sick and injured birds. Shelby’s eyes were too damaged for her to hunt in the wild, so she has a permanent home here.The center attracts a wide range of visiors–families, scouts, bikers–and most read Shelby’s story then ask “Why would anyone throw an owl in a dumpster?”Some birds are nursed to health behind the scenes. About 27% of birds who survive won’t be able to make it in the wild. So, 100 live here, including great horned owls, bald eagles, barred owls, screech owls and a part-albino red-tailed hawk.It takes about 2 hours to see everyone. On weekends there are special shows.
Where to See Animals Down South
To see more animals go to animaltourism.com
 Berkshire Bird Paradise, Grafton, NYBird Paradise is one of the country’s biggest bird sanctuaries. (It’s also one of the hardest to find, off Route 2 in NY, near the Massachusetts/Vermont border.) More than 2,000 birds (100 species) live here and lots of them are the big ones everyone wants to see: bald and golden eagles; many kinds of large hawks; exotic pheasants; former pet songbirds; barnyard refugees; black swans. You’ll walk through a long green house-esque tunnel of former pets, then out to the yard. Ducks, geese and swans swim in a pond while pheasants and chickens wander around. Twelve bald eagles hang out together in the back. At the right time of year, visitors can hide in a special blind to watch a disabled bald eagle matings pair, Ross and Marilyn, and their family. The chicks they raise fly off to the wild (though return for occassional visits).Director Peter Dubacher started rescuing birds here in 1975. Friendly supporters drop by with food, building supplies as well as money.When chicks aren’t around, the emus still the show. These giant gangly birds are very curious about their human visitors. About human height, they seem to want to dance with you from the other side of the chain link fence. They twist their necks around to get a closer view and beg for food. About 40% of the birds here couldn’t make it in the wild and so will live out their lives here.
Where to See Neat Animals in the
Keep reading Berkshire Bird Paradise: The Biggest Bird Sanctuary in New York
 Red-Tailed Hawks, ManhattanPale Male gets all the press, but there are now red-tailed hawks all over New York (and other cities) eating rats, pigeons and assorted small birds. According to the Parks Deptartment falconer, Pale Male, like all residents of Central Park West, is high achieving. It’s a prime spot over a big park. Other hawks around the city, he says, are not as competent. They have lousy territories and a tough time building a nest. There have been two hawks who show up every winter Tompkins Square Park. This year I haven’t seen them in the park, but I have seen one on the top fire escape of a building on the NE corner of 6th Street and 2nd Avenue. I’ve seen him at sunset and in the morning, but not everyday, so it’s probably a semi-regular roost.
Where to See Neat Animals in the Northeast
To see more animals go to animaltourism.com
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