Newest Seahawk: Taima

Meet Taima, the newest Seahawk. Literally.

The Seattle Times provided an article on a project the Seahawks have been trying to use to add to the entertainment at Qwest Field. Taima obviously won the nickname contest, and it means 'Thunder'.

From the article:

Taima was full-grown in about two months. His wingspan is 5 feet, about twice that of Faith (formerly used bird that didnt work out). He eats raw meat, but Knutson buys it frozen and processed and then thaws it, almost like a TV dinner for birds.

The bird was at every Seahawks home game last season, and flew back and forth in the end zone before games, but wasn't ready to lead the team out of the tunnel yet. Not until Thursday night.

The bird is so calm on the sideline that fans have asked Knutson whether the hawk is drugged, if his wings are clipped or if his beak is taped shut. The answer is none of the above. Taima is just one well-behaved bird who allows fans to touch him, pet him and even treat him like a feathered Blarney Stone.

"He's so tame that some kids kiss the top of his head," Knutson said.

Knutson said he picked a bird noted for a calm demeanor. He has taken the hawk to airfields to acclimatize it to loud noises so a sold-out stadium isn't a shock, but he's also trained him differently than his other birds.

To read the rest of the article, click the link in the title of this post. If you are from the Times, dont kill us over using a piece of your article and a picture. We give you full credit, blah blah blah.


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