What is a raptor?

Raptors are birds of prey, predators that live by feeding on other animals. They have a number of special characteristics that make them superior hunters. These include excellent sensory abilities—keen vision and senses of smell and hearing. They also have large, powerful grasping feet equipped with long, sharp talons, capable of quickly crushing and killing prey, and a strong hooked beak, useful for tearing off bits of meat. This group of birds includes both diurnal (or daytime) hunting species (eagles, hawks, falcons, and vultures) and nocturnal hunters (owls). Their prey includes everything from insects, amphibians, reptiles, and smaller birds to mammals of all sizes, from mice to hoofed animals. Osprey and bald eagles mainly consume fish, and vultures eat carrion, making them especially good stewards of the land.

Are the birds you work with friendly? Do they like you? What are their names?

The birds we work with are birds of prey; in other words, they are wild animals. They are not friendly in the sense that pet puppies and kittens are friendly, nor do they either like or dislike their handlers or caregivers. Through careful and knowledgeable handling, it is possible to establish bonds of trust with these wild creatures that allow us to meet their needs for as long as they are with us without undue risk to them or to ourselves. But we never allow ourselves to forget that they are wild creatures and that if they are ever to be free again, which is always our goal, they must retain that wildness at heart. This is also the reason we do not give them names but instead call them by acronyms that designate their breed and gender—to remind ourselves that they do not belong to us but rather to the wild world from which they came and to which they may return. Even our educational ambassadors—permanently disabled birds who remain in our care throughout their lives—are afforded this dignity.

We also never forget that these are creatures of considerable power and skill, even when wounded or weakened by illness, and we never take for granted the damage they can inflict on a handler with beak or talons if they feel nervous or threatened. For that reason we ask spectators always to keep a respectful distance from them.

Can I keep a small hawk or owl as a pet?

No one is allowed to keep a bird of prey—even a small one—as a pet. All of the birds of prey that are commonly found in this region of the country (between 20 and 30 different species) are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act makes it illegal for anyone to possess, transport, buy, or sell any of these birds, their nests, eggs, or parts (even feathers) without a valid permit issued under federal regulations. Permits are issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service only for falconry, propagation, scientific collections, rehabilitation, education, and use for abatement activities, e.g., to reduce or eliminate nuisance animals.

Even apart from these regulatory issues, raptors are not suitable pets. They require very specialized care, which most pet owners are not prepared to undertake, and even small birds of prey are difficult to handle safely. They should always remain wild and free.

Is your program funded by the government?

The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program receives no funding from the government—local, state, or national. The program has no regular permanent source of funding. It is a non-profit [501(c)(3)] program that depends entirely on donations from generous friends of the program, grants from various corporations and foundations, proceeds from sales of raptor-related merchandise, fees to cover expenses for educational presentations, and contributions of needed items such as food, medical supplies, linens, office supplies, and services. Moreover, the program has only six full-time staff members; and much of the work of the program is done by thoroughly trained unpaid volunteers.

HOW CAN I GET TO SEE THE RAPTORS?

You can attend one of the many educational presentations the program does during the year that are open to the public or held for private audiences. Raptors and their handlers appear at New West Fest, the Renaissance Fair, Elk Fest, and many other local and regional events.

You can also come to one of the three Open Houses the program holds each year at its rehabilitation facility. These are held on weekends and are free and open to the public, and they are advertised on the program's website and newsletter as well as in local news media. Or you can sign up for a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the rehab facility. These are held every few weeks throughout the year and are mainly for adults; they feature more in-depth information and are not suitable for young children.

There are also special fund-raising events (e.g., "Mended Wings, Mended Hearts," "Playday for the Raptors," and the annual Gala Auction) at which some of the Educational Ambassadors, our long-term raptor residents, appear with their handlers. But a very good place to see some of the permanently disabled educational birds is at their home at the Environmental Learning Center near Drake and Ziegler on Environmental Drive in Ft. Collins. This facility houses eagles, hawks, owls, and turkey vultures and is open to the public free of charge during daylight hours seven days a week throughout the year.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BIRDS YOU CANNOT HELP?

Some birds are very weak when they reach the Raptor Program, either due to illness or to severe injury. With illness and injury comes exposure to the elements and lack of nourishment and dehydration which compounds their problems. Occasionally, these birds make remarkable recoveries through thoughtful and knowledgeable care and their own innate strong will to live and thrive. But often, the insult to the body is so great that no amount of care can repair the damage. In these cases, when all reasonable efforts have been expended and all hope of a decent quality of life is gone, it is time to give comfort and peace to these beautiful creatures in the most gentle and humane way possible. They are euthanized, and their bodies are preserved for study so that caregivers can learn more about how to treat other birds that come to programs like RMRP for healing and the hope of return to the wild.

Are all of these birds extinct?

Yes, believe it or not, we actually got that one at an event recently. Of course, any species of animal that has living members is not extinct. However, a number of raptors are on the government's list of endangered species or on the list of animals of special concern for becoming endangered. What this means is that without careful management, they could become extinct; and we would lose not only the beauty they bring to this land but the valuable services they provide in nature.

FAQ END