Rare hawk that succumbed to Maine winter will go on display at state museum

State raptor biologists said it will help tell the story of ‘migrant’ birds.

BY DEIRDRE FLEMINGSTAFF WRITER

The great black hawk that was euthanized after it took up residence in Deering Oaks park and sustained frostbite during a storm in January will be mounted and displayed at the Maine State Museum.

Maine state raptor biologist Erynn Call said the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife made the decision to display the large hawk, which is native to Central and South America. She said the hawk’s plight tells the story of how birds – called vagrants by ornithologists – can fly off course and end up far from their usual habitats.

“IFW did make the decision on the great black hawk, and it will be at the Maine State Museum,” Call said. “I wouldn’t call it a non-native, I’d call it a migrant. To our knowledge, it did come here by the natural process of migration. This happens to other species of birds as well.”

It was only the second time a great black hawk was seen in the United States, Maine Audubon said.

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