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Roaring Brook Nature Center is proud to house numerous beautiful birds of prey in our outdoor raptor enclosure. Our mission is to protect these birds and to provide them with humane and enriching lives.

Birds of prey can live in captivity for many years. As caretakers, we need to have the necessary environment & medical attention to support their survival.

Please consider being a part of something very special. Lend your support to these wondrous creatures.

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We invite you to join our

Sponsor-a-Raptor Program

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Help support our raptors by sponsoring them for yourself or a friend.

Sponsorship Categories

  • $300 per year With this Sponsorship you will receive an honorary plaque* featured outside of the raptor’s enclosure for 1 year. In addition, you will receive an up-close experience with your animal and a personal tour of our Wildlife Clinic and benefits included in the $100 Sponsorship package
  • $100 per year This Sponsorship includes a framed 8×10 photograph of your sponsored animal and everything listed in the $50 Sponsorship package
  • $50 per year     This Sponsorship includes an 8×10 photograph of your sponsored animal, the sponsored animal’s story, information on the species, and a sponsorship certificate.

To learn about our Sponsor-a-Raptor program, click here

Our Resident Raptors

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Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

Kia

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At only one and a half years old, Kia was struck by a car on a highway in New Britain. The collision broke two of the bones in her right wing, but luckily a kind hearted man stopped, safely picked her up and drove her to the closest vets. The veterinarians tried as hard as they could to save her wing, however, the damage was too great and they had to amputate part of her wing. Due to these injuries, Kia is now kept as a permanent bird at the Nature Center.

Since her arrival in January of 2015 Kia has settled in very nicely; making friends with the vultures, sunbathing, watching the squirrels, and showing off her impressive size and beauty to visitors.

Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura

Tomasina

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Tomasina, the Turkey Vulture, came to the Nature Center in 2001, after being hit by an automobile in the Farmington Valley. Tomasina sustained a serious wing injury that required a partial amputation and she was unable to be released back into the wild. Tomasina now spends her days sunbathing with outstretched wings in the morning and enjoys a large meal in the afternoon.

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Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio

Mountain

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Mountain, the Eastern Screech Owl, arrived to West Hartford CT. This tiny male screech was struck by a car and was sitting on the side of the road until someone finally spotted him. His finders delicately picked him up and brought him to the Center where he received car for a wrist fracture, head trauma, internal bleeding and damage to his eye.

After a long battle we were able to get Mountain healthy again, but not healthy enough to be able to survive the wild due to his permanent wing and eye damage that resulted from his accident. He now lives with Scarlet in their “Screech Owl condo”.

Barred Owl, Strix varia

Odin

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Odin arrived in 2018 after she was hit by a car and suffered damage to her left eye. Our veterinarian removed the eye to prevent potential infections and she now lives a happy life with her roommate, Aya.

Odin prefers the top perch in their enclosure and enjoys peering down on all her visitors.

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Barred Owl, Strix varia

Aya

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Aya arrived in 2017. He cannot be released back to the wild due to an eye injury.

Aya often engages in conversation with wild barred owls in the area.

Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus

Conner

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Conner arrived in 2018 and joined Tomasina, our resident Turkey Vulture. When young, Conner was illegally taken out of the wild and raised by humans. Because of this, he became imprinted on humans and does not identify as a vulture.

Conner is very playful and loves listening to visitors talking to him.

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American Crow, Corvus brachyrhyncho

Eddie

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Eddie was brought to the Nature Center’s rehabilitation clinic in 2019 as he was unable to fly.  When examined, it was found that he had a permanent eye and wing injuries.  He now spends his days socializing with the local wild crows and playing with his toys.