Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University is home to a lineage of red-tailed hawks, a presence that has gained attention and admiration from the university community and beyond. Three hawk families, all descending from the original pair known as SU-Sue and Otto, have set up territories on campus. The legacy of these hawks, which includes 28 chicks raised between 2012 and 2022, continues to grow with live cameras and social media updates allowing enthusiasts to follow their activities.

Despite the loss of SU-Sue and Otto to avian influenza in January 2023, their lineage endures. Oren, a 2020 offspring, returned with his mate Ruth to nest in a site once used by his parents at Lyman Hall. Oren and Ruth successfully raised two chicks in 2024.

The pair known as Cliff and Ensley have nested on campus light towers since 2024. Ensley, who joined Cliff in 2021, has laid eggs this season, with the chicks expected to hatch soon.

Lastly, Sarah, another offspring of SU-Sue and Otto, along with her mate Jesse, are tending to their nest off-campus. They have successfully raised two chicks in 2024 and are currently incubating new eggs.

These hawks offer a powerful example of nature's resilience in an urban setting, watched closely by students and alumni, especially through the efforts supported by alumna Anne Marie Higgins.