Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center hosted a “Birds of Prey” event on July 16, featuring live raptors, including owls and hawks.
Candy Ridlbauer from Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education brought birds that the organization had rescued. The presentation provided an opportunity to learn about raptors, their habitats, and their importance in the wild. Community members of all ages enjoyed getting up close to the animals.
Raptors are predatory birds that share three main characteristics: impressive eyesight, sharp talons for gripping prey and a hooked beak. Illinois is home to a diverse range of raptors.
Ridlbauer brought a red-tailed hawk, a Peregrine falcon and several species of owls to show the crowd at Irons Oaks. These birds are educational ambassadors that can not be released back into the wild.
Ridlbauer’s organization, which she founded in 2004 alongside her husband, Steve, works to rehabilitate injured birds and return them to their natural habitat whenever possible.
Ridlbauer explained that raptors are often unintentionally injured by human actions. Predatory birds can ingest poisons that their prey has consumed or collide with buildings or cars when hunting. She recommended never using rodenticides or glue traps for mice because they can pose serious risks to birds.
“It might seem silly, but let your windows get dirty,” said Ridlbauer. “What we want to do is reduce the reflection so birds can see them.”
While human interaction may be the cause of many bird injuries, Ridlbauer said that birds can also injure themselves on trees or other obstacles while hunting. With increasingly less habitat available for these animals, she believes it is crucial to save as many as possible.
The bird of prey presentation was part of their Animal Encounters series at Irons Oaks.
“It is a way to highlight local wildlife in a fun and entertaining way,” said Cheryl Vargo, the manager of Irons Oaks.
Reptiles are the focus for the next Animal Encounters event at Irons Oaks. Guests are encouraged to register in advance of the event scheduled on July 30 at 11 a.m.
