Hawk gets up in driver's grille; Auburn police 'Birdman' helps with rescue

AUBURN — A hawk that became wedged in the grille of a pickup truck Friday appeared to be doing well after the grille was dismantled and the hawk released, according to Auburn police.

“Here’s a Friday feel-good story for you,” read the Auburn Police Department’s Facebook post Friday. “We had a call from a gentleman on North River Road who had a bird stuck in the grille of his truck.

“We dispatched Special Enforcement Officer Michael ‘The Birdman’ Chaine to the call. Happy ending: The front of the Ford was dismantled and the beautiful hawk was rescued and transported to Avian Haven for some TLC.”

Avian Haven is a wild bird rehabilitation center in Freedom.

The post includes photos of the truck, the bird stuck in the grille, and Officer Chaine sitting at his desk, smiling, with the bird in a white cage.

“Great job, Officer Chaine,” the post read. “Special thanks to the kind gentleman who took his truck apart to save this beautiful bird.”

A hawk got itself trapped in the grille of an Auburn man’s pickup truck. The front end of the pickup had to be dismantled to free the bird. (Auburn Police Department photo)