Candida Meyrick, a resident of Anglesey, describes her unforgettable bond with Bird, a Harris's hawk capable of flying at over 35mph. The hawk once wrapped her wing around Meyrick for 20 minutes, an act she interprets as a hug.
How Bird came into their lives
Meyrick's youngest son became fascinated with birds of prey at age six. During the Covid pandemic, they acquired Bird from a breeder. Every day at 2pm, rain or shine, they flew the hawk on the headland, with a local falconer. Her son never missed a day.
Bird's remarkable abilities and personality
Bird's full name is Sophia Houdini White Wing. She has a 1.5-metre wingspan and can shapeshift to blend into her surroundings. Her eyesight is eight times sharper than a human's. She also displays a sense of humour and judges Meyrick's footwear, turning her back if boots are unsuitable.
A moment of connection
During the moult season, when hawks stop flying, Bird slipped her wing around Meyrick and held it for 20 minutes. Meyrick says, 'I don’t want to humanise a wild predator but the moments of connection are incredible.'
Life lessons from a hawk
After surviving breast cancer ten years ago, Meyrick vowed to prioritise joy. She now shares her experiences in a book, Be More Bird: Life Lessons from a Hawk, published by William Collins (£16.99).
