Raptor Ambassador Presentations
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.
Meet Our Raptor Ambassadors
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!
Mr. Hoots is a male Eurasian Eagle Owl that came to Earth Conservation Corps when he was just four years old. Now, he is the twenty-seven-year-old "grandpa" of our aviary. He is non-releasable due to an accident that rendered him unable to fly long distances.
There are many factors that can impact the lifespan of raptors in the wild, both human and environmental. Because of this, most only live five to eight years. However, when kept in a safe, monitored environment, raptors can live for a very long time - just like Mr. Hoots!
For in-depth facts about Eurasian Eagle Owls, CLICK HERE!
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!
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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 is a female Red-tailed Hawk,
one of the most common hawks
in North America. Red-tails
are large hawks with broad, rounded
wings and a red tail.
Because of their thrilling,
raspy scream, the shrill cry
of a hawk or eagle that
appears onscreen is mostly
the sound of a Red-tailed Hawk!
To learn more in-depth facts
about the Red-tailed Hawk, CLICK HERE!
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!
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!