Rescuers Think Quick When Falcon Release Goes Wrong

Rep. Carolyn Dykema was one of the many spectators on hand to celebrate the release of a rehabilitated falcon from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in Westborough last week.

This falcon had been rescued the disabled peregrine falcon from a Market Basket parking lot in Lawrence, the bird sitting on a jeep. As the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reported, Matt Collins, who originally rescued the bird, was excited to join master falconers to release it to the wild.

It did not go as expected, or planned.

When releasing a bird, a hood is wrapped around its head and straps are tied around its talons to keep it stead and calm before it is set free. These restraints are supposed to be cut at the same time, but during this release last week, the straps were cut first and the bird took off before the leather mask could be removed.

The bird swooped toward the crowd, and Collins dove to block it from smashing into Rep. Dykema. After trapping it, and losing it, Collins was able to swoop the bird in his arms and remove the mask, finally celebrating the intended release.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on earth, and can dive from great heights, hitting 200 miles an hour.

After Collins originally found the bird and helped with its recovery, it was transferred to Tufts Wildlife Clinic in Grafton, where it was determined the bird had fractured its toe. An energetic bird who tore at bandages, the recovery took longer than usual.

Quite certainly, this bird was excited to flap into the smooth skies again. It is listed as endangered in Massachusetts, and was among the first in the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. 

Read the full story at Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Photo via Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife/Facebook