Kind residents rescued a wounded red hawk 'being hunted for its meat' in Thailand.

The locals called officials after finding the hapless bird lying next to a house in the Ban Laem Makham area of Trat province on November 13.

It had a gunshot wound on its left wing and appeared exhausted.

Officers said the hawk measured 44 cm in height and had a wingspan of 96 cm.

It was taken to the Conservation Area Administration of the Si Racha subdistrict for further treatment.

Rescue volunteer Attapon Laiwaluck said: ‘The red hawk was likely hunted down for consumption by the villagers. There are many red hawk nests in the area.'

The red hawk has distinct contrasting colours on its plumage. The whole body is reddish brown except for the head and chest area, which have white feathers. The tips of the wings are black.

Female red hawks are also typically larger than males.

In Thailand, the red hawk is a protected species according to the country's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.