Can you spot him?
Rescued Sparrowhawk Proves Just How Well Nature’s Camouflage Works
It’s easy to overlook the incredible wildlife hidden in the trees above us. Birds blend seamlessly into their surroundings, their feathers designed to match the natural world. This camouflage is a survival tactic, but for bird lovers, it can also be an exciting challenge—like when Secret World Wildlife Rescue shared a snapshot of a perfectly concealed sparrowhawk.
“Can you spot it?” the rescue wrote in a Facebook post. “Not easy to see at a glance, but our recently released sparrowhawk managed to find a perch after release, and our team managed to catch this great shot!”
The bird’s journey to freedom wasn’t easy. He was originally found trapped in an alleyway, struggling against a piece of netting that prevented his escape. Concerned onlookers quickly called Secret World Wildlife Rescue, and wildlife carers Yasmin and Liz rushed to the scene.
“Within an hour of the phone call coming in, the sparrowhawk had been rescued,” Secret World Wildlife Rescue’s head of education and public relations, George Bethell, told The Dodo.
The exhausted bird was carefully caught with a net and given time to recover. After a thorough check-up, rescuers were relieved to find he had no injuries. His eyes were bright, and his reflexes were sharp—he was ready to return to the wild.
“A satisfying and swift rescue,” the rescue shared. “[A]nd an even swifter release.”
Now, the sparrowhawk is free once more, perfectly at home among the trees. Perhaps one day, a lucky observer will catch another glimpse of him—if they can spot him.