On Sunday, Sept. 28, a vehicle carrying two bay-winged hawks was stolen from SoFi Stadium — home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and Rams. The hawks, which are owned by falconer Charles Cogger, were employed by SoFi Stadium to not only keep other birds away from the stadium during game times, but also to prevent those birds from defecating on fans or swooping down to steal unattended food.
After more than a week away from its trainer, one of the hawks, named Bubba, has been found safe and returned to Cogger. The other, Alice, remains missing.
How were the hawks stolen?
The vehicle carrying the hawks, a Kawasaki Mule UTV, had been left unattended with the keys in the ignition. It is unclear whether or not the culprit knew the birds were in the backseat.
The vehicle was found soon after, in a south LA neighborhood just five miles from SoFi Stadium. The birds were nowhere to be found though.
Where was the hawk found?
Bubba was found Monday morning near Seventh Street in Hacienda Heights, nearly 25 miles from where the vehicle had originally been stolen. A concerned homeowner spotted the hawk in her backyard and called the Inglewood Police Department, who promptly identified the hawk and returned it.
Has the other hawk been found?
No. Alice remains missing.
However, Bubba’s safe return has kept Cogger optimistic that Alice is safe as well.
‘Alice is still out there,’ Cogger told NBC Los Angeles. ‘But this gives me hope she will show up.’
He continued, ‘They can only go so long without food or water.’
How to identify the missing hawk
Bay-winged hawks are known for their broad and long wings paired with a short, rounded tail. They are often around 18-22 inches long.
Alice, specifically, wears a metal band around its leg, identifying it as captive-bred to other aviary enthusiasts.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Last of the unbeatens fall.
