Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
Volunteer Brian Chen released a wild Swainson's hawk on May 11, 2017. This bird was treated for a wing injury at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and was rehabilitated at the California Raptor Center. It's such a great feeling to see them in graceful flight!
Volunteer Brian Chen released a wild Swainson's hawk on May 11, 2017. This bird was treated for a wing injury at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and was rehabilitated at the California Raptor Center. It's such a great feeling to see them in graceful flight!








![Imping Procedure on a Red-Tailed Hawk (how-to)
We had the privilege of observing Dr. Bill Ferrier (former director of the California Raptor Center) perform the unusual imping procedure on an injured red-tailed hawk that had been brought to us. It was also a wonderful teaching opportunity for 2 of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicines Companion Avian & Exotic Animal Service residents, who had the chance to imp a few feathers under Dr. Ferriers supervision.
6 imped feathers later, this red-tailed hawk was released that very same day (after Operations Manager Bret Stedman checked its flying ability on a creance line).
Learn more about imping in this video documenting the procedure!
[Music is Window Shopping by Podington Bear Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0)] Imping Procedure on a Red-Tailed Hawk (how-to)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8CC16QJ8GXI/mqdefault.jpg)

