Hitchhiker Hawk: Memorable Ride Through Downtown Los Angeles

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Rebecca Hobbs and Staci Eddy’s adventure took an unexpected turn as a red-tailed hawk landed on the hood of their car while driving through downtown Los Angeles.

Initially startled, the women tried to shoo the hawk away, but it stubbornly clung on, choosing to stay for the ride.

“Get off of my car,” Hobbs exclaims in a video she took of the encounter.

As they continued their journey, onlookers were fascinated by the spectacle and took photos of the hawk’s unusual hitchhiking.

The women even reached out to their friend Ken Nolan, the screenwriter of “Black Hawk Down,” for help, but the hawk seemed content and unharmed.

Despite their confusion, Hobbs and Eddy developed a fondness for their hitchhiking companion, dubbing themselves “Uber for hawks.”

Eventually, the hawk decided it had enough of the ride and flew away, leaving the group baffled and amused by the unforgettable encounter.

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“We felt like Uber for hawks,” Hobbs and Eddy shared. “Hope he gave us five stars.”

Here is a video of the encounter:

What To Know About Encountering Red-Tailed Hawks

When interacting with red-tailed hawks, it’s important to maintain a respectful distance and avoid disturbing their natural behavior. Red-tailed hawks are wild birds of prey and should not be approached or handled.

Admire them from a distance and resist the urge to feed or interact with them directly. If you encounter an injured or distressed red-tailed hawk, contact local wildlife authorities or a licensed rehabilitator for assistance.

Red-Tailed Hawk Fun Facts

Red-tailed hawks are widespread raptors found throughout North America, even in urban areas.
Their distinctive cry is often mistaken for that of an eagle in films and TV shows.
They can live up to 30 years in the wild, but infant mortality rates are high.
During courtship, the male performs impressive aerial displays to attract a mate.
Red-tailed hawks usually mate for life, staying together or reuniting in subsequent breeding seasons.
They build large nests high above the ground and prefer renovating existing ones rather than building new ones yearly.
Red-tailed hawks fiercely defend their territories, patrolling and screeching to protect their nests.
They are carnivorous, preying on small to medium-sized mammals, birds, snakes, and lizards.
These hawks have excellent eyesight and use a specialized eyelid, the nictitating membrane, during dives.
Red-tailed hawks are common across North America, except for the far north’s frozen tundra.
Some individual red-tailed hawks, like Pale Male in New York City, have become famous celebrities.