The familiar sight of Rufus, a Harris's hawk, has returned to the All England Club as he resumes his role as the official bird scarer for the Wimbledon Championships. For the 18th year, Rufus and his handler, Donna Davis, are ensuring that pigeons do not disrupt the prestigious tennis tournament.
Rufus's unique duty began after pigeons interfered with play during the 1999 Wimbledon final between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Davis, who had experience with hawks, was invited to demonstrate her hawk's abilities on the courts. Since then, Rufus has become an integral part of the tournament's operations.
A typical day for Rufus starts as early as 4:00 AM BST. His duties include flying over Court Number One to clear any pigeons that might have sought refuge under the roof or in secluded areas. While most days are uneventful, occasional chases occur to remove stray birds.
Davis works with Rufus, ensuring the grounds are clear of avian intruders before the matches begin. The hawk, trained for this specific task, flies over the courts, deterring pigeons with its presence and occasional flights. This proactive measure helps maintain the pristine conditions expected at Wimbledon and allows the matches to proceed without interruption.