Hanging out at Cindy’s place in mid-town, I peeked out the window and saw what looked like a little hawk standing motionless on the sidewalk. We headed out to check on the little guy, just as a small crowd was gathering around him. We debated about what we should do. Someone tried calling 311. Cindy suggested we take him to animal control in Harlem.
The little birdie seemed pretty stunned. It didn’t try to fly or run away, even when a barking dog came within a couple feet of him. Someone suggested that he might be injured.
Then, a young woman walked up, took off her sweatshirt, threw it over the little birdie, and scooped him up before he could flap away. She identified herself as a veterinarian who works at the Bronx zoo. She explained as she inspected the bird that he was a baby Kestrel falcon that probably was raised in a nest nearby. When they get old enough, they take a headlong leap from their nests and hopefully spread their wings and fly. The ones that don’t, well, nature takes care of them.
The vet said that she would take him home with her and bring him to the Zoo on monday. Cindy loaned her a cat carrier to transport him there. And that’s the last we saw of little birdie.
The girl Sarah returned the carrier and said that the little falcon is going to rehab and will be re-released within the month. She says he’s doing great. I love New York.
Where was this guy located? What date did you find him on?
June 4. 27th Street and 3rd Avenue.