Weshawee, resident at the Wildlife Center since September 1993, is a Red-Tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis. The Buteos are the soaring hawks, with broad rounded wings and a broad fanned tail.

The Red-Tailed Hawk is the most commonly seen Buteo in this area, circling overhead to spot prey with their excellent vision, eight times better than that of humans. These birds hunt for rodents from the size of small mice and voles to squirrels and rabbits. "Weshawee" is an Indian name meaning "red girl," and appropriate name for these birds whose tail goes from brown to red after two years of age.

Weshawee was brought to us from the Birds Landing area with an injury to her left wing at the metacarpus (wrist), which required partial amputation by our veterinarians. She is unable to fly and will remain at the Wildlife Center. Weshawee is one of our non-releasable birds that plays an important role in educating the public by going out to visit school and youth groups to increase awareness of the importance of wildlife.