Carolina Raptor Center

Since its inception, Carolina Raptor Center has admitted over 11,000 injured and orphaned raptors. Currently we receive around 700 patients a year. Birds are delivered by the general public, veterinarians, wildlife officers, or picked up by Carolina Raptor Center's transport volunteers. The vast majority come from North and South Carolina, and a few birds from other states.

Bird Admission Trends

Seasonal trend of peak admissions during the winter is probably due to several factors:

»During cold weather many typical prey items are scarcer, because they may migrate or hibernate, or at least be less active and less visible. Raptors have to work harder to find scarcer food.
»Colder temperatures mean birds need to consume more calories to maintain a high body temperature (102-106 degrees F)
»Many northern birds migrate south to escape the coldest part of the season. These birds then compete with "the locals" for the same food sources. They are also in unfamiliar territory and may be more prone to injuries.
»Juvenile birds are struggling through their first winter. They have to compete with experienced adults and often don't make it.
»It gets dark the same time as rush hour traffic, increasing the odds of owls getting hit by cars when they start to hunt

A second peak occurs during late spring, due to an influx of juvenile birds:

»Some are truly orphaned birds that lost their parents or the nest.
»Some are young birds that are kicked or blown out of nests or simply fall out (accidents happen in nature, too). Nests can in some instances be rebuilt or the nest relocated to a nearby man-made structure such as a nest box or platform. Assuming they are not injured, these birds can be returned to their own nest if it is accessible.
»Some are dispersing juveniles that are "rescued" by well-meaning individuals. Young hawks and owls often spend some time on the ground or in low branches while they are practicing hunting skills and strengthening their flight muscles. Depending on the circumstances and the time elapsed, some of these youngsters can simply be returned to the area. Parent birds will usually accept them back and continue to support and protect them.

Yearly Trends

CRC has seen a steady and sometimes dramatic increase in patient admissions since 1979. It is possible that people are bringing more birds to Carolina Raptor Center because of increased exposure through education programs and exhibits. The continued elimination of homes for wildlife due to conversion of natural areas into housing developments and shopping centers is certainly a contributor. The remaining natural areas are crisis-crossed by more and more roads creating deathtraps for wildlife. Natural factors like weather patterns and food availability may also influence the survival rate of birds.

How They Get to Carolina Raptor Center

Birds are admitted from a number of different sources. Thousands of individuals cared enough to bring injured raptors to Carolina Raptor Center and collectively represent the largest source. Sometimes members of the public pick up and deliver birds themselves, but many times they will call Carolina Raptor Center with information on an injured raptor. A transport volunteer is then dispatched to recover the bird and bring it to CRC. Many wildlife rehabilitators from the Carolinas and beyond send more severely injured raptor patients to CRC for further evaluation or flight cage training. Carolina Raptor Center is one of the few places with flight cages larger than 100 feet in length - a necessary facility for exercising and reconditioning an injured raptor prior to release. Veterinarians, wildlife officers and animal control officers also send raptor patients received from the public.

Species Numbers

Carolina Raptor Center receives a wide variety of native raptors from across the Carolinas and beyond. This includes some of the rarer species such as northern harriers, merlins, peregrine falcons and bald eagles. Common species such as barred owls and red-tailed hawks are admitted quite frequently and it is not unusual for CRC to care for 15 or more barred owls at any one time. Cooper's hawks used to be admitted at a rate of 10-15 birds a year, but for the past 10 years, their admission rate increased to more than 50 every year. This may be due to a population increase or it may be a result of a higher rate of injury among the same number of birds.

Cause of Injuries

Many injuries are related to people and our impact on the environment. Together with a portion of "orphaned" birds and a portion of cases listed as unknown, human interference easily makes up 2/3 of all raptors admitted. Examples:

»Collisions with vehicles, windows, fences, and wires
»Poisoning (accidental and intentional), leg-hold traps, and gunshot wounds
»Becoming trapped in warehouses and chimneys

Species Prevalance

Statistically, the more common raptors are also the most likely to get injured. There are some other factors involved. Species that adapt to urban and suburban habitats are often more vulnerable to injuries. Their daily activities bring them close to windows and cars, for instance. Species that prefer secluded and very wooded areas may be less likely to become injured. Species that hunt over open areas take advantage of large grassy medians created by the national highway system, and often suffer collisions with vehicles. Bird feeders attract not only songbirds, but also raptors which feed on songbirds. Feeders placed close to windows make these areas a higher risk.