Hawk Attacks Fla. Deputy on the Head, Knocking Him off His Feet

A hawk attack that blindsided a Florida sheriff’s deputy was caught by a security camera — proving the dumbfounded officer was not imagining things, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

It happened Monday, March 21, and the sheriff’s office concedes the attack made for a tough-to-believe incident report. Martin County is just north of West Palm Beach.

“Corporal Andrew Porcelli wasn’t sure what bounced off the side of his head while doing security checks this afternoon,” the department wrote on Facebook.

“All he knew is that the impact nearly knocked him off his feet. Fortunately, security footage captured the feisty feather fighter go in for the dive with a precision t-bone hit to the target.”

The hawk struck with no warning, giving Porcelli no time to duck or dodge, officials said. The deputy ended up with “a signature hawk scratch to the head,” but was not seriously hurt.

“As for the hawk, she was likely in nest protective mode,” officials said.

The species of the hawk was not revealed, but as many as nine species are found in Florida, according to Wild Bird World.

All birds of prey — including their nests and eggs — are protected in Florida by state and federal law, state officials say.

Accounts of them “diving at people” are most often reported in summer and spring, according Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“These incidents, which are usually caused by hawks, have happened in both urban and suburban areas. Most of these events occur during the nesting season and near an active nest where there are chicks or eggs,” the commission says.

“The raptors dive at people who come too close to the nest. The birds view those people as threats to the nest and the babies. In many cases, the birds dive at people but don’t make contact. However, there have been injuries from these birds when they do make contact.”

Hawks consider anything within 150 feet of a nest to be too close, the state adds.

The sheriff’s office Facebook post had more than 3,000 reactions and comments as of March 22, including people who said they, too, had been attacked by hawks.

“Happened to me at my front gate — nest nearby gifted two babies!” Linda McLendon wrote. “Knocked my chin all the way down to my chest. Puncture wound!”

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