Skip to main content

SPCA Wildlife Center Rescues Unique Hawk

 

On August 11, the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center rescued a unique hawk: a 14-year-old leucistic red-tailed hawk. 


The hawk was found on the ground in San Benito County. Since San Benito County does not have its own wildlife center, SPCA Monterey County takes in and rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals found in that county. 



The rescued hawk was thin, unable to stand, and suffering from parasites and a large bruise on his chest. SPCA Wildlife Center technicians provided pain medications, fluids, supplemental heat, and supportive care to get him back on his feet. 



What makes him unique is his coloring. Leucism causes partial loss of all types of pigmentation, leading to white coloration on his feathering. Unlike albinism, leucism does not affect the pigment cells in the eyes. He is also on the older side, as red-tailed hawks have a lifespan of up to 20 years. 



We know his exact age as he arrived with a band on his leg, showing us that he hatched in 2009. He was banded by a research biologist in October 2009 in Seal Beach, California. 



After 11 days of specialized care, the hawk recovered and was able to fly and hunt on his own. Yesterday he was released back into the wild where he was found. Release video is available in the link above.


The SPCA Wildlife Center is the only full-service wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Monterey County, rescuing over 2,500 injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals every year. Right now, we are caring for 90 animals, including a golden eagle, a great horned owl, gulls, a cormorant, songbirds, swallows, raccoons, a coyote, opossums, king snakes, and more.


You can help:


    Purchase gifts on Amazon at SPCAmc.org/baby-shower


    Give at SPCAmc.org/donate


    If you see injured or orphaned wild animals in need, please call us at 831-264-5427 or visit www.spcamc.org to learn how to help.



Everything we do for rescued wild animals is only made possible by your compassionate support. 


The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the only full service wildlife rehabilitation center serving Monterey County. We operate under permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Your support is extremely important to us, as we do not receive funding from any federal, state or local government agency.  Each year, The SPCA Wildlife Center admits over 2,500 animals for treatment and care.


SPCA Monterey County is your nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey County since 1905. The SPCA is not a chapter of any other agency and does not have a parent organization.  They shelter homeless, neglected and abused pets and livestock, and provide humane education and countless other services to the community. They are the local agency you call to investigate animal cruelty, rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife, and aid domestic animals in distress.


Online: www.SPCAmc.org


Facebook: /SPCAmc


Instagram: @SPCAmc


Twitter: @SPCAmc


Threads: SPCAmc

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

  A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

  January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23.    José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...