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Red-shouldered hawk overeats on neighborhood chickens, becomes too heavy to fly
A red-shouldered hawk found immobilized in a driveway near Roanoke, Virginia, was diagnosed with being overweight after veterinary staff ruled out injuries or poisoning. The bird, weighing 910 grams (nearly double the average for her species), had been consuming excessive amounts of free-roaming neighborhood chickens, leading to her inability to fly. Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center staff initially suspected illegal pet ownership or falconry but discovered the hawk had simply been gorging on available poultry. The center's director of operations, Katherine McGrath, explained that wild birds typically don't become obese without a steady food supply, and hawks have no natural stopping point for eating. The hawk, now on a restricted diet and receiving exercise, is losing weight and regaining mobility, with staff expecting her to be released within weeks. The center plans to notify nearby residents to secure their chickens to prevent future incidents. McGrath noted the bird is exhibiting normal behaviors, including being 'healthy and angry' about her temporary captivity, which is a positive sign of recovery. The incident highlights how wild animals may overeat when food is abundant, a behavior that can temporarily impair their ability to fly but is not uncommon in nature.
