| Bird-Watching Destination -- Carolina Raptor Center |
From "DIY Bird Watching"
episode DBW-101 |
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Figure A
Raptors, also known as birds of prey, include hawks, falcons, owls and eagles.
The Carolina Raptor Center, outside Charlotte, North Carolina, cares for injured birds of prey and -- whenever possible -- prepares them for reintroduction into the wild.
Figure B
According to Mathias Engelmann of the CRC, what we learn about birds of prey and their finely tuned role in the environment benefits humans as well. "In turn, it helps us," he says, "because we are part of that same environment. We're only benefiting ourselves, in the long run."
Ironically the symbol of our nation, the bald eagle, was nearly driven to extinction by indiscriminate killing and pesticide poisoning.
The peregrine falcon, one of the swiftest and most graceful of nature's hunters, was severely endangered when its numbers dwindled due to DDT poisoning. Through the work of dedicated researchers and organized reintroduction programs, this species has begun to make something of a comeback.
Perhaps the most important means of protecting species like this barred owl is to work to protect the habitats in which they live. Many of these species can survive only when they have large areas to inhabit.
Most owls are nocturnal, hunting at night. Their diet consists predominantly of small rodents.
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Birds of prey -- or raptors -- are the predatory species of birds such as hawks, falcons, owls and eagles. At the Carolina Raptor Center near Charlotte, North Carolina, birds of prey that have been injured are given medical attention, fed and cared for. When possible the rehabilitated raptors, like the albino red-tailed hawk that was there during our visit (figure A), are prepared for release in the wild.
- According to Alan Barnhardt, executive director of the Carolina Raptor Center, the program started in 1979 when a caring individual delivered an injured owl to the University of North Carolina.
- "The main goal of the rehabilitation facility," says Mathias Engelmann of the CRC, "is to rehabilitate and release the birds back into the wild if they can survive in the wild."
- Those raptors that cannot be returned to the wild must be constantly maintained with highly specialized care. Care includes maintaining the birds' beaks and talons -- ordinarily worn down in the wild through normal survival behaviors -- to prevent them from becoming overgrown.
- Ironically, it is humans that cause most of the harm to these birds. About 50 percent of the injuries to the raptors are the result of being struck by vehicles. Other injuries include gunshot wounds and pesticide poisonings.
- Bruised or broken wings leave the birds unable to fly, thus preventing them from being able to hunt for food. Without intervention care, these birds would not survive for long in the wild. With the specialized care that they receive at the center, a sizable percentage of the care recipients eventually get to return to the wild. "Of those [raptors] we take in," says Barnhardt, "about 65 percent of those that live the first 24 hours are returned to the wild."
- For rescued baby raptors (figure B), caregivers conceal themselves with camouflaged mesh during feeding time. Baby birds that imprint on humans lose their innate fear of them. When this occurs, their chances of survival in the wild would be lessened.
- Some of those raptors that can't be returned to the wild become permanent residents at the center. Deliberate efforts are made to mimic their natural habitat at the facility as much as possible, however. Whether they stay at CRC or are transferred to a similar facility elsewhere, those that must stay in captivity play a role in educating people about these beautiful birds and the beneficial part they play in nature's ecosystems.
- The CRC offers educational programs on site and also has a traveling program that takes the birds to schools and other educational facilities. Part of the mission is to eliminate common prejudices about these birds and educate people that they should not be hunted or destroyed simply because they are predator species.
- Because of ignorance of their true nature and role in the environment, indiscriminate killing of these birds has been an unfortunate practice in the past. Regrettably, it remains so to some extent even today.
- These birds offer no threat to humans, and their impact on domestic animals and pets is negligible or nonexistent. In fact, they serve a vital role in controlling pest species such as destructive rodents. Furthermore, the importance of birds of prey -- as well as other predatory species -- within many ecosystems has been scientifically documented.
- It's important to note that familiarity and knowledge about these birds, and their role in natural ecosystems, provides important lessons about the environment as a whole. As representatives at the rehabilitation center point out, members of the human species would do well to remember that they are inhabitants of that same environment. What can be learned from understanding these remarkably adapted birds -- and the delicately balanced systems that they inhabit -- can be of benefit to the entire planet.
- The dedicated work of bird rehabilitators like those at the CRC is helping to save the lives of hundreds of these birds every year. Organizations like this, however, need financial support to survive. Consider contacting a bird rehabilitation center in your area, and joining as a member by contributing financial support.
- Perhaps the most important means of protecting raptors -- and other sensitive, endangered or threatened species -- is to work to protect the habitats in which they live. Most raptor species can survive only when they have large expanses of woods and grassland in which to find food and nesting sites. Consider doing some research to find out whether your community is taking steps to preserve wild and natural environments in your area.
RESOURCES :
Raptors: An Identification Guide to the Birds of Prey of the World
Model: 0618127623
Author: James Ferguson-Lees
Houghton Mifflin Co.
September, 2001
Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs: Western Region
Model: 157042588
Author: Kevin Colver, Donald Stokes, Lillian Q. Stokes
Little Brown and Company (Time Warner, Inc.)
New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-522-8700
A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Feild Guide)
Model: 0395740460
Author: Roger Tory Peterson
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
A Field Guide to Western Birds - Reissue Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
Model: 0395911737
Author: Roger Tory Peterson
Full title: A Field Guide to Western Birds : A Completely New Guide to Field Marks of All Species Found in North America West of the 100th Meridian and North of Mexico
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
The Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center is a facility that cares for and rehabiliates injured birds of prey (hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons) and provides education about these remarkable bird species. The facility was featured in DIY's Bird Watching workshop.
Carolina Raptor Center
Charlotte, NC 28297
Phone: 704-875-6521
Website: http://www.birdsofprey.org/
Don and Lillian Stokes' website
Stokes Birds at Home
Website: www.stokesbirdsathome.com
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