Wildlife • Gulf Coast Moments

The Christmas Gift I Did Not Expect: A Hawk’s Second Chance

A couple of weeks ago, I was at my Orange Beach office when something outside our wall of windows stopped me mid-step. A beautiful hawk was on its side, completely still. For a moment, I truly thought it was gone.

Then I saw a black cat standing on top of it, poised to pounce. I watched for what felt like an eternity (probably a minute), and the bird never moved. I raised my hand instinctively and the cat bolted. I called to my broker, and we stepped outside together.

Up close, the hawk still didn’t move. My broker gently tapped near it, and suddenly the bird rolled over, pushed itself upright, and simply looked at us. Its wing was clearly injured. It had hit the window hard, and it looked like it had nothing left in the tank.

In that quiet moment, I realized the kindest thing we could do was nothing heroic, just the right next step: protect it, make the call, and let the professionals take over.

What we did next (and why it mattered)

We called Fish and Wildlife, and they came right away. They safely picked up the hawk and brought it in for treatment. We later learned they gave it IV fluids and nourishment, and they stabilized it while addressing the wing injury. I cannot say enough about how steady and capable they were.

A quick note I share now: if you ever find an injured raptor, keep pets away and call your local wildlife professionals or a licensed rehabilitator. Hawks are protected wildlife, and they can also injure you with their talons if they’re frightened or in pain.

The update I was hoping for

Today is the day after Christmas, and two weeks after that window strike. We got the news I had been quietly hoping for: they released the hawk back into the wild. Healthy. Strong. Wing healed and functional.

It’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I’ll try. It was the best Christmas gift, because it was real. A life interrupted, repaired, and returned to where it belongs.

A small Gulf Coast reminder about windows

This experience also reminded me how common window strikes can be, especially around reflective glass. If you want to reduce the chances at home or at the office, a few bird-safe options can help:

• Bird-safe window film or patterned decals applied to the outside of the glass
• Sheer screens or exterior shades to soften reflections
• Moving indoor plants away from windows so the “green view” doesn’t look like open flight space
• Reducing bright interior lights at dusk when possible

Small changes can make a meaningful difference, especially in coastal areas where wildlife is part of the everyday landscape we all enjoy.