An Update on the Search for Stax

Confirmed Sighting in Salt Lake City; Recovery efforts underway on private property

July 7, 2026—One week after flying off from his Sugar House home, Stax was located in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 6, 2026. Recovery efforts are currently underway on private property.

“We’re so grateful for everyone who put their eyes to the sky to help us locate Stax,” shared Melissa Halvorsen, Education & Outreach Director for HawkWatch International. “Because of their efforts, we received hundreds of tips over the holiday weekend, and ultimately, one of those led us to Stax yesterday.”

Halvorsen, who leads HawkWatch International’s Raptor Ambassador program, is leading the recovery effort, which is currently underway on private property. The recovery team includes several of HawkWatch International’s biologists as well as a number of Stax’s care team. 

Stax, a non-releasable bird of prey who serves as a Raptor Ambassador for HawkWatch International, escaped on Monday, June 30, 2026, and was last seen at 1:40 pm that day. A public search was announced later that week, after days of no sighting. Due to a previous injury, Stax is reliant on human care and will not be able to survive long-term in the wild. 

ABOUT HAWKWATCH INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1986, HawkWatch International works to conserve raptors and our shared environment. Based in Salt Lake City, HawkWatch International works to close the gap between nature and people through education programs featuring non-releasable birds of prey called Raptor Ambassadors.