Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant has named a hawk called ‘El Charro’ as its Employee of the Month after deploying the bird to deter pigeons that were damaging 300,000 trucks annually. The automaker turned to falconry, an ancient practice, to protect its facility from persistent bird invasions. Workers at the plant reported significant reductions in pigeon activity since the hawk began patrolling the skies over the assembly lines.

Ford officials said the solution is both effective and environmentally friendly, avoiding the need for nets or chemical deterrents. The hawk, trained by a professional falconer, now roams the plant’s perimeter daily as part of a wildlife management program. This innovative approach highlights how traditional methods are being revived in modern industrial settings to solve contemporary problems.