On November 22, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Francis responded to a call from dispatch about an injured bird at a residence in North Babylon, Suffolk County.
Officer Francis arrived at the location where the homeowner managed to contain the bird in a structure. ECO Francis identified the bird as a juvenile Cooper’s hawk based on its yellow-orange eyes, brownish head, and long-banded, squared-off tail.
The homeowner indicated the hawk was in the yard for a few hours and appeared unable to fly. ECO Francis transported the hawk to a local rehabilitator in Massapequa, Nassau County, who confirmed the bird was a young adult Cooper’s hawk that appeared to be suffering from a broken wing and an issue with its left eye.
Cooper’s hawks eat small- to medium-sized birds, as well as small mammals, and have a stable population in New York State.
DEC checked in with the rehabilitator for an update on the bird’s condition and learned the Cooper’s hawk has a fractured wing and is still receiving care at the rehabilitation facility.
The NYS DEC Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State.