The Arizona Game and Fish department is reminding residents that fledgling Cooper's hawks found on the ground, in most instances, don't need to be saved.
Residents continue to report the young hawks on the ground but the department said the hawks are learning to fly from the ground up.
Fledglings should be left undisturbed so the parents will return to the location and feed it, a news release said.
If the hawk is in danger due to potential pets or traffic, a container that can drain with a towel at its bottom can be attached to a tree with ropes, the department said. The hawk can be placed inside and the parents will return.
"Fledglings may still jump their temporary nests, or may climb back up a tree branch-to-branch to return to their nest of origin,” said Raul Vega, a regional supervisor with the department. “But hovering over them or otherwise disturbing while they are on the ground will discourage their parents from continuing to feed them. They need parental care to survive the extreme heat.”
Earlier this month, the department warned about hawks diving at passersby to protect their nests.
Well-intentioned efforts to rescue wildlife can go wrong if you're not sure how to help.
