The fire came from out of nowhere, surprising the bird, and scorching its feathers.

The young Swainson's hawk had found a great perch in an open area where he could rest and search the surrounding prairie for prey. But the perch was an intermittent methane burner from energy development activities on the prairie, and the flame caused serious burns on the feathers, feet, face, neck and abdomen. Fortunately, the bird was found and quickly transported to the RMRP, where our rehabilitation staff started immediate burn treatment. The hawk will need constant care through the winter months as the burns heal, and will be monitored closely for normal feather growth as well as normal beak and talon growth. It will takes months before the bird can return to the wild – but he has a good chance at regaining freedom, because YOU care. YOU care enough to support our efforts to heal his wounds, monitor his progress, and help him touch the skies.

This bird eats 3 oz. of food/day = 3 mice x $1.00/mouse = $3/day. He will be with us at least one year before his feathers have grown strong enough to be released.

Please continue your support today so that we can release more birds tomorrow.

Click here to make more miracles happen.

This red-tailed hawk had an ugly wound – degloving, they call it - the skin, muscles, and connective tissues were partially torn from the leg bone. A collision with a car caused the terrible wound that often results in death. But the red-tailed hawk was a fighter, so we didn't give up. Every day for 40 days, the RMRP staff spent hours cleaning the wound, administering antibiotics, coaxing the hawk to eat. Finally the wound started healing, growing smaller, and the bird started to become more active. Flight and use of the leg improved, and on December 10, 2011 the wound was deemed healed. 11 days later, December 21, the hawk passed "rat school", proving the leg is completely healed and able to catch prey. On Monday, December 26th, the hawk was released back to the wild to touch the skies again.

All because of YOU – our supporters who believe in the work that we do for these birds. Because of your help, we know that when someone calls about a sick, injured or orphaned bird, we know that we don't need to hesitate about sending someone to rescue it—we know we can give the bird the care it needs. When a critical case comes in, we KNOW we can help—we can concentrate on doing everything in our power to help that individual.

Your continued support gives us the ability to care for these birds day in, day out – all year long.

Please continue your support today so that we can release more birds tomorrow.

Click here to make more miracles happen.

We carefully selected raptor photos from the nearly 100 photos we received during our 2012 calendar photo contest. The resulting stunning assortment of birds are seen in a spectacularly beautiful calendar.

Are you looking for a gift for a raptor enthusiast? A bird watcher? That person who has everything? Perhaps a gift for yourself to speak to your soul? Look no further.

Click Here to Get your RMRP 2012 Calendar online now!