2 red-tailed hawk nestlings rescued after 63-foot fall in Santa Clarita

Two red-tailed hawk nestlings are recovering after falling nearly 63.5 feet from their nest at a Santa Clarita city facility, officials said Wednesday.

The young birds were discovered last week beneath a tree at the City Hall Corporate Yard parking lot, according to the City of Santa Clarita. Staff members quickly contacted the Ojai Raptor Center, which agreed to take in the injured hawks for treatment and rehabilitation.

A city employee then carefully transported the nestlings to the nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center, officials said.

Photos shared by the city show the fluffy young hawks alert and recovering inside temporary enclosures as they receive care.

The hawks are currently being treated by veterinarians and will remain hospitalized while their injuries heal.

“Once medically cleared, they will transition to larger outdoor flight enclosures where they can strengthen their wings and practice essential flying and hunting skills before eventually being released back into their natural habitat,” the city said in a social media post.

Red-tailed hawks are among the most common birds of prey in Southern California and are frequently seen soaring over neighborhoods, open space and roadways.

Officials did not specify the extent of the nestlings’ injuries or when they are expected to be released back into the wild.