College of Arts and Sciences | Biology Dept | Nature Reach

What Should I Do If I Find A Raptor?

Many people are unsure about what to do if they find a raptor in need of help. Because all raptors are protected by law, it is important that you do not try to heal or raise a raptor yourself. Many of the young raptors people find are not orphans. At the fledgling stage, a young bird will exercise its wings vigorously and may fall out of the nest. Intense storms may also blow young birds from the nest.

If you find a young bird, look for a nest and carefully place the bird back in it or as close to it as possible. Its parents will probably continue to care for it. Watch from a distance, and if you do not see the parents after several hours, contact the proper agency.

If you find an abandoned or injured raptor in Kansas, contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at (620)231-3173.

Some raptor-related web-sites

• Carolina Raptor Center
  http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/

• Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
  http://www.birds.cornell.edu/

• George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center
  http://www.suttoncenter.org/

• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
  http://www.hawkmountain.org/

• Hawk Watch International
  http://www.hawkwatch.org/home/

• Peregrine Fund and World Center for Birds of Prey
  http://www.peregrinefund.org/

• Raptor Research Foundation
  http://raptorresearchfoundation.org/

• Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center
  http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/index.pl/raptor/

• University of Minnesota Raptor Center
  http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/