The hawk was definitely in a sticky situation when it was found recently in Manhattan’s Carl Schurz Park.
Wildlife rehabber Tristan Higginbotham shared the tale of a tar-covered hawk in a series of social media posts.
A ranger caught the poor bird and that’s when a team of wildlife rescuer workers went to work.
“It’s been all hands on deck to get this young hawk standing again!” Higginbotham wrote on Twitter.
Ranger @robmastrianni caught the tar-covered hawk in Carl Schurz park. It’s been all hands on deck to get this young hawk standing again! pic.twitter.com/JOfWGsnSGY
— Tristan Higginbotham (@tristanahigg) April 29, 2021
The solvent of choice: Mayonnaise. Yes, mayo.
And, a lot of vigorous scrubbing.
“It’s legs and feet were completely stuck to the body, and was under anesthesia,” Higginbotham explained.
Oil in the mayo breaks down the tar. It took a few such creamy baths to get the bird back in shape for flight.
The first of a few mayo baths. The oil in mayo breaks down the tar. pic.twitter.com/UdwYG0FSII
— Tristan Higginbotham (@tristanahigg) April 29, 2021
Pro tip: Mayo works on a number of tacky situations.
Mayo is also the best way to get pine pitch/sap off your skin. Try it. It’s magic
— Taylor Brown (@TBrown_birds) April 29, 2021
And maybe, just maybe there’s a beauty tip here, too.
Haha, I need to be kidnapped for a Mayo hair treatment, as well! 😜. This guy will rock the best plumage of Central Park!
— Sara Aguia (@sara_aguia) April 29, 2021
