REHAB FOR RAPTORS

What’s the best way to get up close and personal with a Bald Eagle? At a raptor center, of course. The experience can be a little intimidating at first. Seen up close, Bald Eagles and other birds of prey are a lot bigger than you might think just by seeing them from afar. But that’s part of the mission of a raptor center: to dispel misconceptions, foster understanding, and encourage education.

What exactly is a raptor center? Think of it like a hospital, where injured, sick, or orphaned birds are brought to be healed, rehabilitated, and — hopefully — returned to the wild. Of course, birds of prey in need of care are also treated at most wildlife rehabilitation centers in North America, as well as by many independent rehabbers who care for wildlife out of their homes.

Raptors’ injuries often are the result of flying into power lines or some other obstacle. A 2018 study of raptors treated at an Alabama rehab center found that nocturnal species were more often