One Of LIU Brooklyn’s Three Baby Hawks Flew The Coop For The First Time

It’s the moment every parent both looks forward to and fears: when their babies spread their wings and fly.

Today is that day for LIU Brooklyn’s resident red-tailed hawks, who watched as one of their three chicks — born less than two months ago — took flight for the first time (watch a short video here).

Nearby resident and amateur bird watcher Gerri Hernandéz described the sight excitedly, noting that “this is where she bolts off letting out a tremendous screeching hawk noise. WHOA!”

“One of these photos has the mama hawk in it; you can see her color is lighter brown and she has a red tail,” added Hernandéz. “The little guy started flying today. Two are still in the nest. . . I caught him jumping around from limb to limb, but it took so long for that little guy to get the courage!”