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Legend |
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Legend, a male red-tailed hawk, was hit by a car and broke his wing. After three surgeries, his bones healed, but his tendons were permanently ruptured. He is now a favorite for education programs because although often seen in the wild, it is not often that people get to see this common hawk up-close.
Estimated hatch date: 5/1/91 |
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Outlaw |
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This female ferruginous hawk was
received through an exchange program with the World Bird Sanctuary.
Many feel that this bird should be classified as an eagle due to the
shape of her head, feathers on her legs, and her hunting style. Her
species numbers are declining rapidly in her home territory. She has
an important role in our endangered species program. |
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Iberia |
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This common buzzard is on permanent
loan from The World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. They are the most
common hawk found in Europe. Despite his "common" name they are not
common looking at all. Iberia has been captive bred and trained to
free fly. He has joined our flying bird show. |
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Serengeti |
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This male augur buzzard came to us from The World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, the first facility in the world to successfully bred this species. The first clutch arrived in 1998 and there are approximately 21 augur buzzards in captivity. Captive breeding projects are crucial for replenishing declining numbers in the wild. Hatched: 4/1/98 |
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Cheyenne |
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This female Harris’ hawk came to our
Center via the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis. She was housed by a
falconer in a cold environment which caused frostbite and the
subsequent lose of some of her toes. Since this is the main weapon for
a raptor, Cheyenne would not be able to find food for herself. |
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Coyote |
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This male Harris’ hawk came to us from the World Bird
Sanctuary in St. Louis because of their downsizing. He flew in shows for
over six years across the country. He is an extremely intelligent bird and
has taught us a lot about Harris’ hawks and about flying raptors. He is
currently one of the stars in our flying bird show. Many of our resident raptors have had the
gift of flight stolen from them because of their injuries. Our
free-flying birds, such as Cayote, give everyone the opportunity to
appreciate the beauty and majesty of flight. |
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Mesa |
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Falconers
and educators often covet Harris’ hawks, remarkably intelligent
raptors, for their trainability. Mesa, though young, is a seasoned
veteran of flying shows from her time at the World Bird Sanctuary of
St. Louis. This makes her a perfect candidate to join Hawk Creek’s
flying cast as its current hawks age and retire. She has a fiery
personality that demands special care and attention, though many of
her handlers prefer to use the term “enthusiastic.” |
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Barf |
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The
natural defense mechanism in turkey vultures cannot be understated: when
frightened or under threat, they have a unique ability to vomit—up to
several feet! The appropriately named Barf is a juvenile and therefore
lacks the red head that characterizes his species. He is also a human
imprint; three attempts to release him resulted in the bird simply
following people around until fed, which is why he will remain with us as
an example of what happens to releasable birds that are improperly kept.
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Retch |
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This male turkey vulture was hit by a car causing him
permanent wing damage and the loss of some of his digits. Retch is a
social bird who does not mind sharing his enclosure, nor the sky, with
other birds such as red-tailed hawks. Luckily for his handlers, Retch is
not easily frightened, which may make him vomit. |
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Fernando |
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This Andean condor was part of a reintroduction program, but when placed with his foster parents, he was viciously attacked. He barely survived and required surgery to repair the damage. Because of these injuries he is no longer eligible for release in the wild. We were initially tentative about housing such an enormous bird, but he has proven to be very even tempered.
Hatched: 5/11/85 |
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Amulet |
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This captive bred female king
vulture came to us from The World Bird Sanctuary. They moved from
three locations into one and Amulet was one of the many birds placed
with us. While residing at the World Bird Sanctuary, she had flown in bird shows all
over the country for six years. She is currently in our flying show
and is a great hit. She has been a wonderful ambassador teaching man
about the benefits of vultures. |
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Dynasty |
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This female Egyptian vulture was
rescued from an unethical exotic animal dealer by the World Bird
Sanctuary. She spent the next eight years in their breeding program.
After the death of her mate, she was sent to Hawk Creek. She is one of only
six Egyptian vultures in the country. She is extremely intelligent and
her species represents the only bird of prey that uses tools. |
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