The Residents at Return to the Wild

Elmo, Barred Owl

Elmo arrived in April 2009 at the age of about 2 weeks.

In this photo, he is about 5 weeks old and beginning to feel his oats. Another baby, a week his junior, arrived a few days later, and they were housed together in a large kennel, to be raised as cohorts. That means that they each had a constant, conspecific (same species) companion that helped them grow up knowing that they are owls. Once they began to branch, or climb around a larger area on their own, they were placed with foster parents to finish raising them, and model appropriate owl behavior such as hunting and socializing. Now fully grown, Elmo is a pro at educational programs.



Patrick, American Kestrel


Falco sparverious
This wonderful little falcon has been with us for about 7 years. He is in captivity because he is a human malimprint (raised by humans). Although diminutive (4 ounces!), his bright plumage and colorful personality make him our most popular ambassador.



Thunderin Ben, Bald Eagle


Haleatus leucocephalis
Thunder was shot in the left wing in 1996 when she was about 5 years old. She came to RTTW in 2002 from The World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, MO. She weighs nine pounds, eats a little over half a pound per day, and her favorite food is Canadian Walleye (although any fish will be just fine, thank you!). She lives in a large enclosure and greets us each morning with a bald eagle contact call.



Oliver, Peregrine Falcon


Falco peregrinus
Hatched in the South Bend area, this anatum (medium sized) peregrine fell from his nest resulting in a broken pelvis. Though that is healed and he can achieve some flight, his major problem is poor vision. This personable fellow hatched in 2003, weighs 19 ozs., and enjoys sunning after a thorough bath. Ancient falconers referred to this species as the falcon gentle for its ease in training and adaptability.



Shaman, Gyrfalcon/Peregrine hybrid


Hatched in 2000, this beautiful male is a retired falconry bird who took over 300 ducks during his hunting career. He is a voracious eater and is the watchdog of the property, sounding off at the slightest disturbance on the property. He is sweet and cooperative, and demands a bow from visitors as he offers a bow to greet to them.



Rhiannon, Eastern Screech Owl


Megascops asio
Hatched in 1994 in the South Bend area, she is a transfer from the Potawatomi Zoo. This six ounce dynamo is charming and enjoys outings, but declares her territory well when housed with other screech owls! She often in the late evening, using her soft tremolo to call in other owls. Despite our offerings of fancy wooden owl boxes to roost in, she prefers a beat up cardboard box for daytime sleeping.



Zulu, African Augur Buzzard


Buteo rufofuscus augur
By far our most vocal bird, Zulu charms each audience with her species contact call. This red-tailed hawk differs from our North American version by having much larger wings that enable augurs to navigate the thin-aired habitat of the east African mountain ranges (as high as 17,000 feet!) with ease and grace.

Zulu is on permanent loan to us from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. In a US led sting operation, her parents were confiscated from bird smugglers in South America. She and her three siblings made up the first brood of this species ever hatched on this continent. At just over three pounds she is handful!



Gumbo, Rough-legged Hawk


Buteo lagopus
This buoyant species is seen in the US only during winter when they migrate to warmer climes from their breeding territory in the sub-arctic tundra. They are pan arctic in range and are named for being booted, a term for having feathers all the way down the leg to the top of the toes (an anatomical feature that prevents heat loss in cold habitats). In 1996, Gumbo was shot in the right wing in northern Indiana. Sadly, her mate waited three months for her return to the field where the tragic incident occurred. Finally, the change in season forced him to migrate north. Gumbo is large for her species, weighing in at three pounds.



Bailey, Red-tailed Hawk


Buteo jamaicensis
Bailey has been with us since she was about eight weeks old. She suffered a broken wing that healed badly at the elbow while still in the nest. She was found starving to death beneath the nest and has not been hungry since! She weighs 3 1/2 pounds, is a workhorse of our Indiana Raptors program, and enjoys searching the skies for soaring wild birds of prey.



Big Red, Red-tailed Hawk


Buteo jamaicensis
Also known as the Gentle Giant, this four pounder is our most gentle bird. In addition to being an education bird and foster mother, she is also a grand stable mate: we often place our most nervous red-tailed patients with her for calming and reassurance. As a youngster she was hit by a truck in 1996, and despite three surgeries, lost her left eye.