Approximately 700 injured or orphaned raptors are brought to Carolina Raptor Center's Jim Arthur Raptor Rehabilitation Center each year. Credit for this large number belongs to people in our community who care enough to take action when they see an injured bird. These concerned citizens bring many birds directly to Carolina Raptor Center, while others arrive in the capable hands of Carolina Raptor Center's transport volunteers. Some of our patients come from other wildlife rehabilitators, who may need a second opinion in a particular case or may not have large enough cages to provide exercise.

Steps in the Rehabilitation Cycle

1. Initial Exam

First, the bird is given a physical exam. It is weighed. Depending on size and condition, it may have to be wrapped loosely in a cloth or have a hood placed on its head to calm it so that it may be weighed. A blood sample is taken. An eye exam is given, as many birds have head injuries from collisions. The raptor may also need an x-ray. Wing fractures are the most common injury. The raptor's broken bone must be set. Some fractures require surgery, while others can be stabilized with a bandage, splint, or cast. Bones are set for two to six weeks depending on the seriousness of the injury. Raptors are fed a high calcium diet during their healing time.

2. Recovery

After any broken bones are set, the bird is moved to a small cage inside the rehabilitation center. The cage is covered to keep the bird calm and to prevent habituation to people. Many new patients are malnourished and dehydrated. They may be too weak for solid food and require injections of fluids and a liquid diet. Birds that are able to eat may not do so because of the unfamiliar and stressful surroundings. They are force-fed with long tweezers. Their diet consists primarily of rodents. The broken limb, often a wing, is given time to heal. Volunteers remove the bandage and stretch the broken wing every five days to prevent stiffness. Without this stretching the wing could end up permanently stiff, limiting the bird's ability to fly and hunt successfully. Antibiotics and other medications are given daily, and the bird's weight is carefully monitored. Contact with the caretakers is limited to three or four brief treatments periods per day.

3. Acclimating to the Outside Again

Once the bird starts eating on its own and its condition has stabilized, it is moved to a medium size enclosure outside. At this point any broken bones are already healed. The bird has a chance to stretch its wings with short flights. The bird begins to acclimate to outdoor temperatures, and human contact is minimized.

4. Short Flights

Birds are moved to larger enclosures for more strenuous exercise with longer flights.

Eastern screech owls will only require a 30-40’ cage, while a bald eagle will require at least 100-200’. Live food may be introduced at this stage, and the bird’s hunting skills are evaluated. This is a critical step for birds with eye damage and for young birds with no prior hunting experience. Several birds are housed together, but species are not usually mixed.

This exercise period may last anywhere from two weeks to several months. Birds are observed and their progress evaluated periodically.

5. Release

If a blood sample and feather growth are normal, the decision to release the bird is made. Other considerations include good weight, normal behavior, and the right season for the bird to be in this part of the country. All birds released by Carolina Raptor Center are banded for identification. An effort is made to release the raptor in the same area where it was found, and the number of birds released in that area is recorded to prevent territorial overlap. Many raptors are migratory, and will leave the area immediately, while some will remain within a few miles of their release site.

Carolina Raptor Center is proud to partner with US Airways, its Flight School Sponsor, whose support enables injured and orphaned raptors to return to nature and take flight!