We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Sienna the Red-tailed Hawk. Her passing was completely unexpected and a huge shock to staff. After appearing healthy on Friday evening, Sienna was found Saturday morning, having passed during the night. The cause of death is unknown, and there were no obvious external signs. Sienna was only around 11 years old (middle-aged for a Red-tailed Hawk) and her annual health exam turned up no signs of fatal health concerns. A necropsy will be performed so we can determine why she so suddenly passed.
Sienna came to NMWC in 2010 after suffering from trauma in her left eye and wing. It was later determined that she had been shot and had to have her left eye removed. She was added to the Ambassador Animal Team shortly after. Since then, Sienna has attended hundreds of educational programs and greeted thousands of visitors onsite. During the spring and summer, she could be heard across the center with her classic Red-tailed Hawk “kee-eeeee-arr“. With her big personality, she touched every volunteer and staff member that had the pleasure of working with her. Sienna will be sorely missed by all.
Staff and volunteers reminisced on their time spent with Sienna:
- “There’s a hole in my heart that’s shaped like a redtail, and it may never heal.
Sienna was the first raptor I ever bonded with.We used to walk way out past the cactus garden and stand on the hill together.Looking across the valley.Listening to and feeling the wind.I looked over at her and saw myself reflected in her eye.It changed my perspective – it changed me.There’s a hole in my heart and it’s shaped like a redtail.” – Susan Coulter, Volunteer
- “Every time I watched Sienna in a program, or at a “meet and greet,” I was impressed by how calm and assured she was. Even missing one eye, she didn’t seem to mind people walking up to her to get a better look. I remember educators who handled Sienna bragging about how well she did at an event. When we speak of Ambassador Animals and their purpose of educating the public about their species, I think Sienna was right there at the top of the list.” – Dawn Wright, Assistant Director of Development & Administration
- “I remember every time I gave a tour and we passed by Sienna, she would let out her loud call. It was such a great opportunity to talk about Red-tailed Hawk vocalizations and it’s like she knew everyone would love it! I will miss her big Redtail personality every day.” – Jessica Schlarbaum, Communications & Outreach Manager
- “Red tailed Hawks are a force. They are a fierce and warm wind. They are mini-eagles. Sienna was all of these. She was one of the cleverest red tailed hawks I had the honor of working with in 22 years. She was full of personality and she knew how to read her trainers and handlers. Not up to her sly tricks? She would find a way to elicit food from you, whether or not she deserved it. In her last couple years she became more vocal, she would often scream in her loud red tail voice at visitors. Giving people the thrill of hearing the real call of a red tail so often heard in the media. She would often greet me with guttural red tail growls. I wouldn’t say they were a sound of affection, but more of a mutual respect. I respected her as a mini-eagle and a fierce wind. She would often sit in the window of her mews overlooking the property and maybe also to look for her trainers to feed her. She may have enjoyed watching the scampering of the rabbits among the brush. This is where she was the last time I saw her alive, watching the world from her window. Sienna was a red tailed hawk, a mini-eagle, fierce and powerful in a broken body. She was an animal I had a connection and respect for who will forever have a place in my heart.” – Shawna Protze, Curator of Animals and Education Programs
- “Sienna certainly stepped into the royal footsteps of her predecessor Inshallah, who we referred to as “The Queen”. Her noble and composed demeanor always made it a joy to work with her. Though it has been some time since I have had her on the glove, I will always be grateful for the privilege of spending time with her. She was a steady and as Shawna asserted, super intelligent presence at the center. She will be greatly missed! Fly free, beautiful Sienna!” – Marta Handey, Volunteer
- “To say Sienna was an incredible bird is an understatement. Between her large stature and keen intelligence, she honestly intimidated me when I first started training with her! It took time and patience but we began to trust each other and that is what I will always cherish most about our time together. I’m going to miss you Sienna.” – Chase Spearing, Education Coordinator
- Thank you Sienna, Our educational programs are structured in order to present raptors, their physical and behavioral traits, and how they are alike and different. Sienna was the star of the show, the epitome of a generalist raptor with her strong talons, tearing beak, and excellent vision( be it in only one eye.) She was dependable, willing to do programs on site or off, perching on the glove, standing tall, patient and calm. As educators we would ask each other which birds to use in programming. Sienna’s name was always mentioned first. I remember a special time when she joined me on a long car ride to the Jicarilla Apache near the town of Dulce to represent her species in front of summer camp children from ages 5 to 18. She did five programs in one afternoon and then repeated her performance the next day. I felt like she knew me personally as I knew her.” Ann Sherman, Volunteer
