Red-tail hawk struck by car on Colorado highway, survives

A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

The hawk was hit at highway speed and was lodged into the grill of the truck. The driver then pulled over and called CPW.

Officer Ian Petkash responded to the call.

“It was lucky it only impacted the grill and not the bumper, which must have absorbed a lot of the shock,” Petkash said in a CPW NE Region tweet.

A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)
A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)

The hawk was extracted from the grill by officials, and sustained a minor wing injury. It will spend a short time in a rehabilitation program before being released back into the wild, CPW said.

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A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)
A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)
A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)
A red-tailed hawk was stuck by a Toyota truck on Highway 24 near Hartsel, Colorado on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.Photo courtesy: CPW NE Region (Courtesy CPW NE Region)

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