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The Raptor Center

What Are Raptors?

Raptors, or birds of prey, are predators that catch other animals with their strong feet and talons. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, and sharp curved beaks. Eagles, ospreys, hawks, kites, falcons, and owls are all raptors. Photo by Ron Austing

What is the Raptor Center?

The Raptor Center began in 1970 as part of the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center. The Raptor Center includes a classroom area for bird study lessons, an intensive care room, outdoor cages for display of permanently handicapped birds, and flight cages for recuperating birds. A permanent staff person directs activities, naturalist interns assist in the care of the birds, and veterinarians donate their services and expertise. Funding is through donations, adoptions, and program fees. Permits are held through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Rehabilitation
Injured and orphaned raptors are brought to the Center by concerned individuals or rescued by our staff. Most of the injuries are human-related. Collisions with vehicles and windows are common, raptors are sometimes shot or trapped in buildings, and nest sites and habitat are destroyed. Some years, up to two hundred raptors are admitted for care. More than half are returned to the wild. The Center also works closely with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, assisting with its recovery efforts and raptor management plans for peregrine falcons, bald eagles, barn owls, and osprey. Photo by Ron Austing

FalconCam

Thanks to a cooperative effort of the Glen Helen Raptor Center, the Boonshoft Museum of Natural History and the Ohio Division of Wildlife, anyone with a computer can watch real-time footage of peregrine falcons nesting in downtown Dayton. Click to view the FalconCam fixed camera or video stream. Photo by Deb Simon

What To Do If You Find An Injured Raptor

If you encounter a raptor that appears to be injured or ill, first call the Raptor Center. We can advise you on whether it needs help and on how best to do that. When handling the bird, use gloves to avoid injury from its sharp talons and beak. A towel or blanket temporarily thrown over the bird may allow easier handling. Grasp the bird on the sides, folding the wings down. For transporting, place the raptor in a cardboard box slightly larger than the bird itself.

If you find a young bird you think is abandoned, be certain that it truly needs help before moving it. Young birds are often out of their nests before they can fly, being cared for by parents that are nearby, but possibly not visible. The adult birds can do a much better job of raising their young than can humans. You can help by keeping dogs and cats out of the area.

Do not offer the bird food or water, or attempt to care for any raptor yourself. Not only is it against the law to do so, it may result in injury to you, and is not in the best interests of the bird. If you find other wildlife that needs help, we can give you information on other area rehabilitators.

Special Events and Program Scheduling

An open house at the Raptor Center is usually scheduled in the spring and fall when the public is invited for a look behind the scenes. Public releases of rehabilitated birds and other programs may be scheduled as well. You may also see our birds at special events throughout the Miami Valley. There is no better way to generate excitement and learning than having live birds of prey as part of a program. Please call if you wish information on scheduling a program at the Raptor Center for your group, or to have us bring birds to you.