MEET OUR 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!
Sky
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.