6 years ago
Those birds of prey, or raptors, can run into trouble when humans get in their way. But thanks to several volunteers, many of the injured birds are nursed back to health and freedom.
Kent Knowles often fills his car with beautiful birds of prey, birds that cannot be set free. ?This little girl was hit by a car. She had a fracture in her hip and would have starved to death.?
Knowles is President of the Raptor Conservancy in Falls Church. Knowles takes his non-releasables to community and school groups, teaching them about the raptors surrounding us and how the keep the rodent population in check.
From the little ones to the top of the food chain ?he cares for them all.
This great horned owl is in perfect condition, but Knowles is under orders to never release the powerful bird with the razor sharp bill. Thanks to the ignorance of whoever first found her, she's been imprinted on people and sees humans as the same species. ?She would be a danger. She?ll go to people, go back to people and solicit food.?
Education is only part of the Raptor Conservancy's mission. Rehabilitating injured birds is its first priority. The barred owls are getting close to freedom. Inside the large flight cages, the birds get a chance to really test their wings.
The Red-Tailed Hawk was injured six months ago. She?s been nursed back to health and is ready to be set free again. Volunteer Linda Moore measures and bands the bird, then takes it on one last trip by vehicle. She releases in Great Falls, Virginia - near where she was found.
?It's a great feeling. Hopefully she'll stay out of trouble and stay away from people.?
Kent Knowles hopes to encourage people to leave a habitat for these birds. They need trees. He advises people to leave dead trees up for awhile if you can because something good may be living in them.
As for food? the little raptors, like the Saw Whet Owl and Screech owl, will eat shrews and moles -creatures like that. The Great Horned Owl and hawks go after rabbits and other birds. They might even go after a small cat. So keep them inside if you have a Great Horned Owl living nearby.
Written by Peggy Fox
