Rufus the Harris's hawk has effectively managed nuisance pigeons at Wimbledon for 17 years, ensuring uninterrupted Championship play. Organisers hoped he would breed to pass on his skills; however, recent mating attempts have not succeeded, including a difficult encounter with a female named Pamela. His handler stated that the pair did not connect well. Harris's hawks have size dimorphism, making females larger than males, which impacts breeding and effectiveness in controlling pigeons on the courts. Pigeons pose a persistent threat to the tennis courts and can breed quickly, complicating matters further.
Rufus the Harris's hawk has kept the skies above the All England Club clear of nuisance birds, allowing uninterrupted play for players and spectators during the Championships.
Attempts to breed Rufus have so far failed, including a recent encounter with a particularly aggressive female named Pamela.
Rufus's long-time handler, Donna Davis, said Pamela was quite aggressive and it wasn't love at first sight.
Ms. Davis noted that Harris's hawks’ reversed size dimorphism makes Rufus more effective at navigating tight spaces, scaring off pigeons.
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