This hawk has never attacked a single pigeon at Wimbledon, and that’s the point
Rufus the hawk doesn't chase or attack birds at Wimbledon; his mere presence is enough to keep pigeons away from the tournament's famous grass courts.
Rufus doesn’t chase or attack pigeons. His presence alone is enough. Birds instinctively recognise a Harris’s hawk as a natural predator, making them think twice before settling on rooftops, grandstands or Centre Court at Wimbledon.
According to the BBC, Rufus treats the Wimbledon grounds as ‘his playground,’ making early morning patrols before the gates open to spectators. His handler, Donna Davis, says the bird has become so familiar with the venue that flying over the famous lawns is second nature to him.
Rufus first began patrolling Wimbledon in 2008, continuing a bird-control programme that started years earlier. He flies every morning around 4 a.m. BST, sweeping the grounds before players begin practising, occasionally drawing curious glances from groundskeepers, ball boys and girls, and early staff preparing the courts for the day.
Birds can damage carefully maintained lawns, leave droppings on the courts and even interrupt play at crucial moments, which is why Wimbledon has relied on this quiet, natural deterrent for nearly two decades rather than loud gadgets or modern alternatives.
Image: Wikimedia Commons/by Jules Verne Times Two
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