The most common cause of sudden death in falconry hawks?

• A. Electrocution
• B. Overheating
• C. Frounce
• D. Coccidiosis

Answer: (A)

Electrocution from contact with electrical infrastructure is the most common sudden cause of death for falconry hawks. Birds of prey often perch on poles or wires or strike prey near lines, and when they touch a live conductor and a grounded surface at the same time, a fatal current passes through their body. This can kill instantly, without warning signs. By contrast, diseases like frounce or coccidiosis and heat-related issues tend to develop with recognizable symptoms over time, rather than causing immediate death. So the sudden, high-risk event that frequently ends a hawk’s life abruptly is electrocution.