Warrior is 18 years old, partially blind and has spent much of his life in captivity. That changed last Friday, when the red-tailed hawk escaped from the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines.
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“He was fed during a program in front of a group of people. And then as he was being put away, he slipped out of the handler’s hands and flew off,” said Mario Benassi, the avian curator at the foundation.
Typically, handlers maintain control of birds outside of their enclosures using ankle straps, known as jesses, which are clipped to a steel swivel. Those straps are only unclipped once the birds are back inside their enclosures. But in this case, that didn’t happen.
“A mistake was made,” Benassi said.
Warrior is blind in one eye due to a West Nile Virus infection and was deemed unreleasable. Still, Benassi said it’s likely the bird would be able to feed himself.
“We’re not too concerned about that part of it,” Benassi said. “We’d just like to have him back.”
Warrior’s escape kicked off an ongoing search in the Chilkat Valley. Foundation staff kept track of him until nightfall on Friday. But Benassi said Warrior did not respond to typical calls, likely because he wasn’t hungry – and got chased off by crows and ravens.
But resident birds — many of which are currently safeguarding their young — have actually helped in the search, by making warning calls as the hawk approaches.
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“Certainly, if you hear a ruckus of other birds, that’s a really good indication that he’s there,” Benassi said. “The resident birds are going to make a big stink when they see him.”
Benassi said locals should keep an ear out for that ruckus. It’s also worth listening for Warrior himself, who might be making feeding calls.
The situation is far from ideal. But Benassi, who has been a falconer for five decades, said this kind of thing does happen from time to time, particularly when training new people to handle birds.
“Really, part of the program here is to educate not only the public, but also would-be bird trainers and handlers. So, there’s a little risk involved.,” Benassi said.
He added that he’s recovered escaped birds over the years and hopes the same will happen this time.
If anyone spots a red-tailed hawk with ankle straps, they’re encouraged to immediately contact the foundation at (907) 766-3094.
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