Overweight Hawk Grounded After Eating Neighbors' Chickens
Wildlife rescuers in Virginia found a red-shouldered hawk too heavy to fly after it repeatedly fed on free-roaming chickens.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Bird Watching
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Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center rescued a grounded red-shouldered hawk found in a driveway about a mile from its facility. The bird weighed over 910 grams and was too overweight to fly after eating chickens set out as easy prey.
Why it matters
The case shows how feeding wildlife, directly or indirectly, can disable a bird and leave it vulnerable to predators and starvation. Wildlife officials in Roanoke say the situation stems from human-created conditions rather than natural causes.
The hawk weighed over 910 grams (two pounds), and examiners could not palpate its keel because of a heavy layer of fat. Lead toxicity, broken bones, eye issues, head trauma and collision bruising were all within normal limits, pointing to excess weight as the sole cause of grounding.
The players
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center
A licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility in the Roanoke area that treats injured and orphaned native wildlife and promotes humane coexistence with animals.
The details
Neighbors reported their free-roaming chickens disappeared at an alarming rate over several weeks. Wildlife center staff said the hawk was eating chickens left out as easy prey and resting in nearby trees between meals.
Timeline
Over the last few weeks, neighbors reported chickens disappearing at an alarming rate.
After the hawk was rescued, staff checked it for injuries and found all results within normal limits.
Culture Shift
The case reflects the warning from licensed rehabilitation centers like the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center that feeding wildlife, directly or indirectly, can disable animals. It fits a broader push among wildlife groups to stop well-meaning feeding that leads to dependency and injury.
Residents who keep free-roaming chickens should secure feed and avoid leaving food out in the morning, since predators can be drawn to easy meals. Homeowners who notice a hawk perched near their yard can reduce risk by removing outdoor food sources.
The takeaway
Removing easy food sources protects both backyard poultry and the wild birds that depend on natural prey. Keeping wildlife wild helps prevent injuries that can leave animals grounded and vulnerable.
Further reading
For more on wild raptors and how feeding affects them, explore our Bird Watching section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSBW.
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