Habitat Restoration
What is a Raptor?
A raptor is a bird of prey. Unlike other meat-eating (carnivorous) birds, all raptors hunt using their sharp talons, grabbing their next meal with their feet. Other than this, there are three traits that make a bird a raptor:
1. Talons. Raptors primarily use their sharp talons for capturing, holding, and killing prey.
2. Binocular vision. To help them spot their prey while flying hundreds of feet above the ground, all raptors have large eyes that can "zoom in" on food. A bald eagle can see a mouse in the grass from seven football fields away.
3. A sharp, hooked beak. Raptors all have beaks specifically built to be able to rip, tear, and eat food.
Our raptor ambassadors are non-releasable raptors such as Hawks, Owls, and Falcons who serve as educational guides to teach our community members about raptor and environmental conservation.
To schedule a raptor presentation, please reach out to admin@earthconservationcorps.org
WHY RAPTORS?
Humans have been fascinated with Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls for thousands of years. By teaching elements of the ancient art and science of falconry, we empower youth to care for birds of prey and reconnect to nature.
Learning about raptor research & conservation for a wild raptors is a transformative experience that inspires both a thirst for STEAM education and a reconnection to self. The relationship offers mutual healing. The raptor gets a second chance for survival and the relationship can change the course of a young person’s life. Many will gain a lifetime connection to raptors and conservation. On returning home to DC, our Anacostia River education centers - The Monique Johnson Anacostia River Center and The Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center - offer a seamless path for the youth to a build on their knowledge of science and nature.
Sky
Sky is a beautiful adult female Red-tailed Hawk that has also been with Earth Conservation Corps for quite some time. She is non-releasable due to an accident when she was a hatchling that led to a damaged wing. Although she cannot fly, she is a happy and healthy raptor!
Red-tailed Hawks are found throughout America: they are in every state but Hawaii! They are not a species of concern (not endangered). They are easy to spot with their distinctive reddish-orange tail feathers.
For in-depth facts about Red-tailed Hawks, CLICK HERE!
Anthony
Anthony the Barred Owl is one of our newest members to our raptor program! Barred Owls are a common bird of forests and swamps, native to Eastern North America, although in recent decades, they have spread across the country to the Pacific Northwest, as well as South-Central Canada. They are iconic for their looks and for their unique birdcall that sounds like someone asking “Who cooks for you?” These birds eat primarily small mammals such as mice, squirrels, chipmunks, voles, and rabbits, but might also eat other birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. A fun fact about them is that their fossils have been discovered as far back as 11,000 years ago!
In terms of measurements, they can grow from 16-25 inches in length, and possess a wingspan from 50-60 inches”
Devon
Devon is a captive bred male Barn Owl. Barn Owls are silent predators that are normally strictly nocturnal. Despite this, Devon is sometimes awake during the day, excited to go on walks or meet new friends during our educational programs!
Barn Owls are medium-sized owls characterized by their white heart-shaped face and gray and cinnamon above. These owls can be found worldwide. However, populations are declining in parts of their range due to habitat loss.
To learn more in-depth facts about the Barn Owls, CLICK HERE!
Hurricane
Hurricane is a male Black Vulture. Since he was illegally taken from the wild as a chick, he believes that he is human and would not survive in the wild. Black vultures are large raptors with broad wings, a short tail, and a small and bare head. They are almost entirely black with silvery patches on the bottom of their wingtips.
Black Vultures often associate with Turkey Vultures, their red-headed relatives. Turkey Vultures have an excellent sense of smell, so Black Vultures make up for their poor sense of smell by following Turkey Vultures to decaying flesh on carcasses.
To learn more in-depth facts about the Black Vultures, CLICK HERE!
Aurora
Aurora is one of our resident Red-tailed hawks. These birds are a familiar sight to anybody from the continental United States, and are a staple of American culture. Their high-pitched screech is likely familiar to all who have ever watched a movie of the “western” genre. This bird lives on almost the entire continent of North America, thriving in habitats ranging from open country, to mountains, to woodlands. These locations give it the ability to perch high up, survey its surroundings, and pounce on any unsuspecting prey ranging from small mammals such as rodents, to reptiles, even to other birds. If it needs to, it may even eat bats, insects, or amphibians.
These hawks are medium sized raptors and can grow from 18-25 inches in length, and possess up to a 50 inch wingspan
Deedee
Deedee is a female Saker Falcon, a large falcon with a broad wingspan. These falcons have a wide variation of colors and patterns, ranging from almost uniform chocolate brown to pale sandy brown with brown streaks to almost pure white. In general, Saker Falcons have a brown upper belly and grey flight feathers.
Saker Falcons are classified as endangered species because of illegal trade and habitat loss.
To learn more in-depth facts about the Saker Falcon, CLICK HERE!
Fluffy Ruffles
Our Harris Hawk is Fluffy Ruffles. (s)he is smaller than both Sky, and Speedy, showcasing how every bird, even within the same species, is unique. (S)he is also a different color than both Sky and Speedy, showing another interesting fact about Red-tailed hawks, which is that their color and feather patterns are extremely variable, meaning they can range from light red with a white chest, to rusted brown to black. In some rare cases, hawks can be born leucistic, which is when they have a loss of pigmentation, making them appear completely white. This sometimes gets them confused with Snowy owls.
Wildlife Tracking, Species Reintroduction, and Raptor Hospital
The Matthew Henson Center is home to our Wildlife Tracking, Species Reintroduction & Raptor Ambassadors.
Renovating Our Living Laboratory and next up, our Raptor Hospital:
Corpsmembers also engage in wildlife tracking at the Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center in addition to our plan for a fully established Raptor Hospital. Our corps further assesses the impacts of climate change through wildlife data collection and analysis as well as the potential for other hands-on STEAM-based opportunities on the river with our in-building fish hatcheries for native species reintroduction (including Sturgeon reintroduction) and further ecological monitoring with our U.S. Geological Survey Monitoring Station; and with our Raptor Research & Conservation. To meet our birds that reside on our rooftop aviary at the Matthew Henson Center, Click Here.
Liberty & Justice are bald eagles from our eaglecam.org monitoring program.* Since reintroducing Bald Eagles to the nation's capital, we have continued to encourage DC citizens to join us in the fight for eagle conservation.
*Note: eaglecam.org will return shortly, along with additional eagle education programs!
Raptor Propagation
Harris Hawks
Harris hawks are found in arid and semi-arid habitats across the southwestern United States, Central America, and parts of South America, favoring deserts, scrublands, and open woodlands. In the wild, they typically live around 10 to 12 years, while in captivity they can live up to 25 years. Unlike most raptors, Harris hawks are known for their cooperative hunting, often working in groups to flush out and capture prey. They primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using teamwork and strategy to improve their success.
Steppe Eagle
Steppe eagles are native to open landscapes like grasslands, deserts, and wide plains across Eastern Europe, Central Asia. During migration, they travel to parts of Africa and South Asia. In the wild, they usually live 20 to 25 years, while in captivity they can reach up to 40 years. These powerful raptors are solitary hunters, soaring over vast open areas to spot prey from above. Their diet mainly consists of small to medium-sized mammals like ground squirrels, as well as birds and carrion when available.
Red Tailed Hawks
Red-tailed hawks are commonly found across North America, inhabiting diverse environments such as open fields, deserts, woodlands, and even urban areas. In the wild, they usually live around 15 to 20 years, though hawks in captivity can live up to 30 years. These raptors are often seen perched high or soaring in wide circles, scanning the ground for prey. Their diet primarily includes small mammals like rabbits and rodents, but they also eat birds, reptiles, and carrion when available.
Australian Boobook Owls
Australian boobooks are native to Australia, New Zealand, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the islands of Timor and New Guinea, where they are commonly found in eucalyptus forests, woodlands, and even suburban areas. In the wild, they typically live 10 to 20 years, but in captivity, they can live over 23 years. These nocturnal hunters perch on branches, fences, or poles, watching for movement before swooping down to capture their prey. They often hunt in open areas near trees and are known to feed on mice, insects like beetles and moths, and small birds around the size of a sparrow.
Barn Owls
Barn owls are found in open habitats such as farms, grasslands, marshes, and other wide, open areas. In the wild, they usually live only 1 to 2 years, though some can reach up to 10, while in captivity they may live as long as 30 years. These nocturnal hunters are most active at dusk, dawn, and through the night, using their keen hearing to locate prey in the dark. Their diet mainly includes mice, small rats, shrews, young rabbits, and other small mammals.
