Hawk diagnosed as ‘too fat’ for gorging on chickens and sleeping all day

This hawk was simply ‘too fat’ to fly, bless her (Picture: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke)

This poor hawk has been given a very direct diagnosis by a wildlife hospital after confusing staff about why she was unable to fly.

The reason? She’s fat.

The mature red-shouldered hawk was at the heart of a head-scratching mystery at Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center since being found grounded in a driveway about a mile from the facility.

Upon arrival, she was checked for what experts called the ‘usual suspects’, but no broken bones, lead toxicity, eye issues, head trauma, emaciation, or bruising from a collision or altercation were found.

She was ...