If you are interested in scheduling a visit from our birds, please see the “Programs” page.

photo of Max the Great-Horned Owl
Photo by Will Adler.

Max

Max is a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). Great Horned Owls are the largest owls found in North America. If you hear the hooting “hoo, hoo, hoo” of an owl at night, you are most likely hearing a Great Horned Owl.

When Max was a baby, he fell out of the nest. Unfortunately, he “imprinted” on his human rescuers: he does not understand the difference between humans and owls, and does not know how to care for himself in the wild. Imprinted raptors are considered non-releasable.

Despite this, Max has served as a dedicated foster parent for other orphaned owlets. Over his life, he has raised 76 young owlets for release back into the wild!

Max was born and adopted in 1998.

Photo by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Photo by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Ace

Ace is a Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the fastest animal on the planet! These falcons can dive at speeds greater than 200 mph to strike birds in midair.

Ace suffered a broken wing in the wild. The injury did not heal perfectly, which means he is unable to fly well enough to catch his prey in the wild. Because of this, he would struggle to survive.

Ace was adopted in 2023.

Photo by Vicki Gardner.
American Kestrel
April 2024

Mouse

Mouse is an American kestrel (Falco sparverius), the smallest falcon in North America. If you see a bird hovering over a field – flapping its wings to stay perfectly in place – you may be seeing an American kestrel on the hunt.

Like Max, Mouse fell out of the nest as a baby and became imprinted on her human rescuers. As an “imprint,” she is drawn towards humans instead of her own species, and would not do well on the wild. She is a very vocal, expressive little bird!

Mouse was adopted in 2022.

March 2024 - American Kestrel

Kiki

Kiki is another American kestrel (Falco sparverius), the smallest falcon in North America. When Kiki was only two days old, her nest was destroyed. She was the only survivor. Rescued by humans, she quickly imprinted like Max and Mouse. She is our newest and youngest arrival!

Kiki was adopted in 2023.