COMMUTERS have been left amazed after spotting a Harris Hawk working in a London train station.
The bird of prey was seen in the arms of a man wearing high vis in Liverpool Street station, central London yesterday.
Snapping a picture of the bird a commuter shared it on social media and was amazed to discover that the hawk works for TFL keeping train stations free of pigeons.
Researching the bird, which the commuter thought was an eagle, revealed that it works with handlers in the train station to keep pigeons away.
The working hawk scares the pigeons off, discouraging them from inhabiting and nesting in the station.
Working to keep the station clear of pigeon droppings and protect commuters’ sandwiches from being snatched by opportunistic birds the hawk was given a warm reception on social media.
An image of the working bird of prey shows it in the arms of its handler, head peaking over the shoulder of its companion to stare directly at the camera.
Cradled in the arms of the handler the hawk seems to be nestled into the neck of its coworker, giving the camera an excellent front on shot as it stares into the lens.
The image of the working bird was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: “TIL hawks are used to hunt pigeons at tube stations.”
The post was well received with social media users offering up praise for the hawk on a job well done.
It has since received over 300 likes and more than 50 comments from social media users sharing their admiration of the working bird.
One user said: “The hawker for my old company used to look after the entirety of Canary Wharf on a contract.
“He used to perch himself on top of one of the skyscrapers twice a week and let the hawk circle the large area. Super cool.”
Another wrote: “Wow, that really is utterly fascinating to know. What a great job, if a bit red in tooth and claw.”
A third replied: “They have a guy in a van with a few birds of prey every morning in Trafalgar Square until either 10 or 11. As soon as the doors on the van shut the pigeons start returning.
The guy said the biggest problem is when they catch the pigeons and eat them as they’re full of diseases and general London filth.”
Another added: “They don’t actually kill pigeons they just scare them away. If the hawks learn there is food off the glove they won’t come back. One kill and they have to retire them.”
A fifth commented: “I had a hawk perch on my 4th floor balcony once. It’s surprising there aren’t more raptors around given the bonanza of food available in the form of pigeons.”
