ANSWER
The maximum value is 625
EXPLANATION
The height of the stick that the bird dropped is modeled by the function;

This function is already in the vertex form.
Let me rewrite it clearly for you to see.

When we compare this to;

we have h=0 and k=625.
k=625 is the y-value of the vertex.
This is the maximum value on the graph of this function.
Since the equation is in y = mx+b form you can easily determine the y intercept based on the b value present.
Y = mx + b
Y = 2x - 3
B = y intercept = (0,-3).
Your answer would be 12/25 tons. If you set up a proportion 2/5 X
-------- = -------
5/6 1
Solve your proportion.