The Raptor Conservation Alliance

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Wild Bird Habitat Store's June Newsletter Online

THE RAPTOR CONSERVATION ALLIANCE (RCA)

Since 1976, injured and orphaned birds of prey in Nebraska have been cared for by a statewide network of dedicated volunteers who recover injured and orphaned birds of prey and transport them to the raptor hospital in Lincoln, NE. In the beginning they were the Nebraska Raptor Center and later became the well known Raptor Recovery Nebraska.

In 1999 the raptor hospital under Raptor Recovery Nebraska was relocated east of Lincoln near Elmwood, NE on a rural homestead. Numerous building were revamped. Additional buildings constructed, A new raptor hospital facility was erected. And two large flight pens were put up where prior to release recovering raptors can exercise their wings and build up muscle mass and regain the agility needed to once again roam the skies freely.

It can be heart breaking recovering these magnificent birds of prey since many are in such traumatic condition they can’t be saved. But if there is any possible way to repair broken wings, stitch up lacerations, repair fractured legs, these birds are given every opportunity to heal to the point they can be released. Other birds are brought to the raptor hospital suffering from lead poisoning, West Nile virus, or any other number of issues. Through medications and 24 hour care, many of these birds survive thanks to those dedicated people at the raptor center.

Raptors in the wild face numerous threats from human activity as do many of our birds. Habitat loss is a major factor in declining bird populations, but many acute injuries and illnesses are caused by the direct impact of human activity. Collisions with automobiles and trains. Collisions with windows and building. Gunshots wounds. Some birds contract lead poisoning from inadvertently consuming prey that had ingested lead buckshot shot from area lakes. Pesticide poisoning. Bites from feral cats which is often fatal. Humans’ misuse of rodent baits and traps. These birds face many perils. But the raptor hospital is prepared to address these and many other medical issues that raptors suffer in the wild..

For example: With the expansion of habitat across Nebraska, Bald Eagles are nesting at record numbers. However 7 of the last 10 Bald Eagles brought to the raptor hospital suffered from lead poisoning. It is an expensive process but through medications and experienced care many of the eagles recover and are returned to the wild.

Even when releasing rehabilitated raptors consideration is taken to release them in the area where they were recovered where they may have mates, offspring, or the location they may have nested and hunted for years. Every spring orphaned birds are recovered and brought to the raptor hospital where they are taken care of until they can be released back in the area of the nesting adults.

Since 1976 raptors have been rehabilitated and released by the former Raptor Recovery Nebraska, renamed the Raptor Conservation Alliance. Just to feed the high number of raptors that pass through the hospital is costly and the medications can be expensive along with the treatment of those birds that require veterinarian intervention.

Wingtip: The Raptor Conservation Alliance website is under development and will be launching soon. There you will be able to meet the raptors that have become the ambassadors for the work of the Raptor Conservation Alliance. These birds are non-releasable due to injuries, but remain healthy and vibrant providing educational opportunities at public events. For a nominal fee you can schedule a live raptor presentation of owls, falcons, and hawks for an event since the raptor facility near Elmwood is closed to the public. We ask for your support of the Raptor Conservation Alliance

You can help by making a tax deductible donation to the Raptor Conservation Alliance. Corporate sponsors are also welcomed and may contact the RCA for information on corporate sponsorships. Please make a donation so our raptors can continue to fly healthy and free. Donations can be sent to: