Barred Owl (Strix varia)

As a nestling – unable to fly – young Cooper fell to the ground like many baby birds do each year. When discovering a fallen nestling, seeking advice is critical to the baby bird’s future, because its age, health, and the proximity of its parents all play roles in its ability to survive in nature. Cooper survived his serious situation because a young boy found him and sought help and advice. The injury to his left elbow joint prevents Cooper’s successful return to the wild. While we would rather Cooper be free in his natural environment, he has been learning the life skills of an Educational Ambassador at Birdsacre, which have helped him happily transition into a new life. It has been exciting to watch Cooper grow from a young owlet into a full-grown owl. Today, he enjoys the natural scenery of his home where he inspires visitors to help preserve owl habitat, and encourages everyone to seek advice and help if they encounter fallen nestlings like him.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Ageolius acadicus)

Rarely seen, these ubiquitous little owls display hungry appetites, attacking prey three times their body weight or insects as small as their feet. Both predator and prey, when startled, these hunters might freeze until danger is gone. Small, delicate bones are easily injured. A wing injury limits Felina’s ascent, preventing her from returning to the coniferous forests she would inhabit, so she blends in to her privacy hutch within Birdsacre’s wooded Sanctuary.

Turkey Vulture (Cathardes aura)

Unlike a naturally shy, vulnerable, cautious Turkey Vulture, Ziggy seeks your attention because he mal-printed on his rehabilitators when young. He cannot be released to the wild because he thinks he is a person! Visit Ziggy and look closely at his feathers. They are colorful and intricately patterned, dispelling preconceived misconceptions and stereotypes of vultures as unclean and unattractive. In the natural world Ziggy and his vulture compadres are critical ecosystem cleaners, keeping our environment clean and free of dangerous diseases.

Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo platypaterus)

Khufu hides a healed shoulder injury that ensures she will never migrate long distances south in groups of hawks called kettles for warmer winters. Shy and secretive, she surveys the Birdsacre grounds and orchard from a high perch. Distinguished from below by wide black and white tail bands, these hawks can suddenly fall victim to car collisions while hunting along the lush, forested roadsides. Khufu emits a sharp “peweee” before descending to breakfast.

Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo Jamaicensis)

These omnipresent hawks adapt easily to urban or rural environments. Soft tissue damage to one wing limits her long-distance flight, diminishing her ability to successfully hunt or escape danger. Lady Red loves to sunbathe, calling softly in the morning light. Confident and full of personality, she bounds from perch to perch. On hot days you might discover her cooling off in her water dish.

Great-Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus)

Often called “Tigers on Wings,” Great-Horned Owls are identified for their ferocity. Boris, however, was selected in Michigan as an educational ambassador for his gentleness. Found roadside with a humeral fracture, Boris cannot fly. We focus on an owl’s wings and overlook their powerful legs and great ability to leap; because of this, the special perch design in Boris’s mew enhances his naturally exceptional mobility.

Barred Owl (Strix Varia)

Countless human-made obstacles from telephone pole cables to barbed wire fences can be hazardous to wildlife. Remige (right in photo) was found grounded, vulnerable, and unable to fly at the edge of a field. Wing damage resulting in permanent flight feather and contour feather loss leaves his skin exposed to the elements, resulting in his inability to fly and be released. He relishes in the lofty views his tall home offers of the pond and forest below.

Barred Owl (Strix Varia)

Slight injuries can have irrevocably limiting consequences. Molta has a slight head tilt, minor ocular issues, and imperfect landings that resulted from an encounter with a car. These injuries prevent her from successfully catching her prey - and from returning to the wild. Within her enclosure she maneuvers exceptionally well, floating down to a favorite hooting post in the early evenings, to converse with the other Barred Owls. Observing her and her compatriots reveals the many personal variations in face and posture that distinguish individual owls within a species.

Great-Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus)

More than half of owlets born will not survive to their first birthday. Nature is hard, and encounters with civilization can be unforgiving. First year owls without territory inhabit the least choice environments. Achillea underscores the predicament of many young owls who have not mastered survival skills. Starving, then hit by a car, she sustained permanent damage to her foot that prevents her from successfully capturing prey or gripping a perch. She now resides at Birdsacre and helps us learn about Maine’s owls and how we can help keep them safe.

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

This playful personality was separated from his parents while young and bonded with his rehabilitators in New Jersey. Now this highly social bird thinks he is a person and cannot be released to the wild because he would seek human companionship – imparting an important moral – leave nature with nature, especially juveniles, unless absolutely sure rescue is required. Black Vultures are carnivores, cleaning our environment of carrion. Often considered unattractive pests (by the uninformed!) Gauch reveals the often unseen, sweeter side of individuals within a species. While Gauch enjoys watching visitors, this curious, keenly intelligent creature loves to play and puzzle with his enrichment toys, providing hours of fun and amusement.

Barred Owl (Strix Varia)

Like many young owls, Napoleon was injured the first fall season after leaving his parents. He sustained a humeral fracture when struck by a car and cannot be released back into the wild because of his limited flight capabilities. As a Birdsacre Ambassador, Napoleon shares a playful side untying rope toys and hanging them in special locations, reminding us that raptors have heart and soul, and a perspective all their own of the world we share.

Napoleon reminds us to never toss food waste, such as apples, to the side of the road. Food attracts mice and other tasty “prey” creatures. Owls and other raptors are drawn to this roadside food source. Focused on their meal, they may be struck by passing vehicles.

Turkey Vulture (Cathardes aura)

Pollux and Castor both have injured wings, preventing soaring back to a life in the wild. They are inseparable, though sometimes get a little testy with each other, as groups of vultures will vying for favorite food or perches. They are not related, and come from different roosts – the place where groups of vultures gather to sleep at night. On most bright days, you can find them with wings outstretched - in vulture yoga - a natural pose enjoying the sunshine in their weathering yard.

Birdsacre is home to numerous domestic ducks and geese, several non-releasable Canada geese, and dozens of visiting free-flighted wild Mallards. Look closely amongst the Mallards, as you might find some other visiting duck species.

Some of the Canada Geese have “Angel” or “Crooked” wings where one or both of their carpus (wrist) joints developed more slowly relative to the rest of their wing. This happens when a developing bird eats a diet that is too high in proteins – often from eating too much bread and corn, and not enough of their natural diet of greens. If identified when the bird is young, it is possible to intervene and wrap and bind the wing – and correct the diet - to reverse the damage. If caught too late, birds with Angel Wings, like the Canada Geese in the pond, will not be able to fly, migrate, or survive in their natural habitat.

All of the Avian Ambassadors at Birdsacre are on strict diets particular to their needs and we ask that you never, ever feed any of them anything - except the ducks and geese. If you wish to feed the ducks and geese at the pond, please feed them only lettuce. They will appreciate this healthy treat!.