Swainson’s Hawk captive bird

As part of an ongoing series of captive animals and the beauty they have I am presenting this image of a captive Swainson’s hawk. This series is not designed as a project to show how terrible captivity is for the affected animals or with any kind of political agenda. It’s sole purpose is to give the viewer an opportunity to see the animal up close and have the opportunity to view its natural beauty in away you don’t often get to in the wild.

We all know that these wild things would be better off in their natural state living as Nature intended, but occasionally that simply isn’t possible. This bird in particular was injured by someone who doesn’t have the appreciation of wildlife that so many of us do, it had been shot and one of the pellets struck it in the eye causing its loss. Because it lost an eye and with it, its depth perception and the ability to hunt and feed itself, it faced slow starvation or possibly being killed by another raptor who sensed its weakness. Rather than let it die it was brought into a refuge to be healed and cared for.

As a result of the unnecessary actions of an unthinking individual that caused this hawk to be placed in captivity it has lost its freedom and its way if life. Through the efforts of the people at the refuge it has been fed, housed, and exercised and is now in the best of health. Regularly shown to the public to bring about awareness of the animals and birds that surround us, it fulfills a need to educate and create appreciation for wildlife even if it is not able to be free itself. The loss of its eye has not reduced its beauty. The fact that its life has been repurposed if you will, does not make up for its disability and loss of freedom in any way, but the fact that some good can come from this preventable circumstance, is better than the total loss of the bird.

Hopefully the more you know about these wonderful creatures the more likely you will be to protect one. That’s the aim of the folks who do this work. And I for one salute them.