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Red-tailed hawk’s own bill is killing him

‘Most birds with this syndrome will starve to death without treatment’
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The hawk will be treated for dehydration, parasites and have his bill trimmed, filed and reshaped by Wild ARC staff. (BC SPCA)

A red-tailed hawk is needing immediate attention after it was found with a severely overgrown upper and lower bill, causing it to slowly starve.

The hawk came into the care of the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) with a number of health issues which included being covered in parasites and having a jaundiced skin tone – potentially indicating a liver problem that would require medication to treat.

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The overgrown bill makes it nearly impossible for the hawk to preen and hunt, causing him lose weight. His feathers are no longer waterproof.

“It is possible this hawk has long-billed hawk syndrome - a disease that can affect raptors of any kind but is most common in red-tailed hawks,” says Wild ARC assistant manager Meghan Hatch. “Most birds with this syndrome will starve to death without treatment.”

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Wild ARC is asking the public to help the red-tailed hawk as the estimate for the cost of care is $2,525.

The animal will be treated for dehydration, parasites and have his bill trimmed, filed and reshaped by Wild ARC staff.

To help, visit spca.bc.ca/medicalemergency, call 250-478-9453 or visit the branch at 1020 Malloch Rd., Victoria.


 

keri.coles@blackpress.ca

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The hawk will be treated for dehydration, parasites and have his bill trimmed, filed and reshaped by Wild ARC staff. (BC SPCA)