The Arrogance of Wealth:
5 Ave Coop Evicts Hawks
After 11 Years on Ledge;
Pres. Cohen Won't Talk

By Henry J. Stern
December 10, 2004

Most of you know by now of the destruction of the nest of the red-tailed hawk, Pale Male, and his mate, Lola.
 
For eleven years, the hawks had nested on a ledge on the 12th floor of 927 Fifth Avenue (near 74th Street). They raised their offspring there, bringing food to their chicks until the young ones were able to go out on their own.
 
The hawks became popular figures. The idea of wild birds surviving in a most urban environment captured the imagination of adults and children all over the world. Books and articles were written about the hawks, a film, "Pale Male," was made, and another movie is on the way. Sightseers traveled long distances to get a glimpse of the striking birds and their unusual habitat.
 
A few days ago, all this was destroyed by a contractor at the order of the co-op board. The pigeon-repelling spikes that had secured the nest were removed. After finding their home gone, the two adult hawks circled the wreckage, bringing twigs to try to rebuild it. But without the protective spikes, the twigs were blown away.

To put it mildly, the public and the press were distressed. A New York Times editorial sums up the case for the red-tails in persuasive prose. We cite its closing lines: "The hawks have gone out of their way to learn to live with us. The least the wealthy residents of 927 Fifth Avenue could have done was learn to live with the hawks."
 
The Daily News' editorial (scroll to third editorial) came in the form of a letter from Pale Male. Link to it to get a bird's eye view of the problem.

"We have heard all sorts of explanations as to why we were forced into the ranks of the homeless. We suspect it was simply that our snooty neighbors on Fifth Ave. were offended by our bodily functions and the occasional pigeon tartare that would fall to the sidewalks."

Here are links to this week's stories, editorials and columns about the birds' plight. It is interesting that everyone who has written on the subject appears to be on the side of the red-tails. No one stuck up for the board's action.

• Times: "New York Celebrities Evicted on Fifth Ave., Feathers and All," by Thomas J. Lueck, 12/8, ppB1, 3; "Newly Homeless Above 5th Ave., Hawks Have Little to Build On," by Thomas J. Lueck, 12/9, ppB1, 11; "Squatting Rights," editorial (cited above), 12/9, pA40

• Post: "5th Ave. roost roust," by Gersh Kuntzman, Braden Keil and Letitia Rowlands, 12/9, p2; "Poultry 'in motion'," by Mark Bulliet, Braden Keil and Heidi Singer, 12/10, p10; "Pale Male dealt a nesty blow," by Dr. Keith L. Bildstein, 12/10, p11; "Flip the bird to Paula and the rest of those hoity-toity residents," column by Andrea Peyser, 12/10, p11. Her column is exquisite; far more pointed than what we have written.

• News: "Homeless hawks: Booted from 5th Ave. nest," by Austin Fenner and Tracy Connor, 12/9, p3; "Beyond the pale," editorial (cited above - scroll to third editorial), 12/9, p54; "Suite Revenge," by Austin Fenner and Tracy Connor 12/10, p6

• Sun: "Fifth Avenue Hawk Loses Nest," New York Desk, 12/8, p5; "Bird Lovers Chant For the Return Of Hawks' Nest," by Richard Pyle (AP), 12/10, p2

• Newsday: "City Hawks evicted from Fifth Avenue nest," by Richard Pyle (AP), 12/7, not published, on website; "NYC Hawks Seek Nest Workers Took Down," by Verena Dobnik (AP), 12/8, not published, on website

Our feelings on this matter are strong. The people who live in this luxurious co-operative are among the most privileged in the city.  They should thank God for their wealth and good fortune.  They should not destroy the home of a living family of another species.
 
A sad aspect of this case is the absence of any sense of shame by the co-op residents or board. Their chairman, Richard Cohen, refuses to speak to the media. Even though his wife, Paula Zahn, is a television reporter, he holds himself above the press, and feels no need to explain his board's action. His distinguished surname, Cohen, signifies descent from a priestly caste. He does not live up to that fine name by his apparent disregard for living creatures. Fortunately there is still time to correct the problem, and we urgently hope for peace for both the hawks and the tenants.
 
The co-op's lawyer, Aaron Schmulewitz, said that the co-op's engineers found the nest was "a hazard that probably violated city regulations." No city agency, however, appears to have complained about it.
 
The charge against the hawks is that, after they finish eating, they drop pigeon carcasses on Fifth Avenue (heaven forbid). The building is well-staffed with doormen — can't they remove the dead pigeons?
 
Technically, the building's action is within the law. It would have been against federal law if it had been taken while the chicks or eggs were within the nest. But late fall is not the season for reproduction, so there was a window of opportunity for the unscrupulous board to destroy the nest.
 
Nonetheless, it is against a moral law — that we should care for less fortunate creatures and have reasonable regard for other forms of life. And moral law does not change with the seasons.   In the case of Pale Male and his mate, the two red-tailed hawks have brought pleasure and pride to so many New Yorkers and visitors from around the world, that the wanton destruction of their home by a bunch of selfish millionaires is a disgraceful act. (We know they are millionaires because of the value of their apartments, not counting their other real estate, stocks, bonds, fine furniture, jewelry and cosmetics.) These people have been blessed in life. For their representatives on the board to display the selfishness and insensitivity we have seen this week is living proof that material wealth and kindness to others are qualities that are often poles apart.
 
A well-known tenant in the building, Mary Tyler Moore, has spoken out against the board's action. "I can't imagine the lack of empathy that exists in these people's hearts," she said.
 
We call on city officials and people of conscience to express themselves on this matter. We believe that most New Yorkers feel that what has happened here is a sin, or at least a trespass, against nature. Anyone who wants to go on record with those sentiments, or the opposite viewpoint, is invited to e-mail us, and we will report on how you feel.
 
Our hope is that, in this holiday season, the directors of the co-op will soften their hearts and allow these distinguished residents of 927 Fifth Avenue to resume their peaceable occupancy.  Let their fine building be a shining example of peace between species.  Let 927 symbolize kindness, not cruelty.