Upside-down hawk spotted clinging to Colorado power line, photos show. ‘Unusual sight’

An “unusual sight” was reported to Colorado wildlife officials: A red-tailed hawk was dangling upside down from a power line.

It’s not clear what the bird was doing up there, but wildlife officials have some theories.

Someone living in a nearby apartment complex saw the bird and reported it June 27 in Durango, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Southwest Region spokesperson John Livingston told McClatchy News by email June 28.

Within minutes, wildlife officers responded to check on the hawk, Livingston said.

The bird dropped to the ground, where officers observed it for electrical burns but didn’t see any.

It appeared to be in “good condition overall and flew off with strength and good form, so we don’t believe it sustained any injury,” Livingston said.

Livingston said hawks don’t typically hang upside down.

Although no one knows for certain what the bird was doing, Livingston said its wings may have touched the electrical line, leaving it stunned for a moment.

Or the bird may have “clenched” its talons around the wire instead of falling to the ground, he said.

“It was definitely an unusual sight, but we were all happy the hawk was OK and it had a good ending,” Livingston said.

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