The
World Center for Birds of Prey, is the headquarters for
The Peregrine Fund, an international non-profit organization founded in
1970 that conserves endangered
raptors around the world. Built in 1984, the World Center for Birds of Prey is located on 580 acres on a hilltop overlooking Boise, Idaho. The campus consists of the business offices of The Peregrine Fund, breeding facilities for endangered raptors, the
Velma Morrison Interpretive Center, and the Herrick Collections Building, which houses a large research library and the Archives of Falconry.
The Peregrine Fund is known for its worldwide conservation and recovery efforts of rare and endangered raptors. The organization's first recovery effort focused on the
Peregrine Falcon, which was facing extinction due to the widespread use of the chemical DDT. The Peregrine Falcon was removed from the US Endangered Species list in 1999 at an international celebration held in Boise.
We visited this Center in October 2012 and were treated to a
wonderful flying demonstration of some these birds - Falcons,
Hawks,Eagles & an eagle owl. It was a fascinating spectacle
& the eagle owl was really the star of the show. The birds
& their trainers enjoy perfect harmony and the birds follow
commands meticulously. The visit was a great education too ! The
trainers have great affection for the birds and handle them with great
care. The birds are rewarded immediately after a successful and accurate flight.
We have experienced first hand the magnificence of Owls and Bald Eagles as birds of prey, as well as hawks but never Peregrine Falcons. Our poor chickens are on the receiving end of the birds of prey actions. Still they are magnificent creatures and you have shared some wonderful pictures! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment which appeared at lightning speed. Yes these are magnificent & amazing creatures and I am happy that great efforts are being taken to preserve them.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mridula !
DeleteThe owl looks striking!! Phew! What a gaze ....the last pic aptly, was the grand finale.
ReplyDeleteYes the eagle owl was a splendid specimen.
DeleteI love his 'tufty' look! Certainly a great bird show to marvel.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed it was a marvelous show.
DeleteSplendid photos, Ram. You are very adept with the camera.
ReplyDeletethank you Gigi.
DeleteGreat post RR! Loved the birds.
ReplyDeleteERR
Thanks ERR !
DeleteEagle owls! I am meeting for the first time. Photographs are of par excellence.
ReplyDeleteThank you PNS Sir.
DeleteExcellent images!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepak.
Deletethey're just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks TWG.
DeleteThose birds look so beautiful. Nice pictures.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-photographer-and-his-model.html
Thanks Niranjan.
Deleteblessings and namaste....
ReplyDeletegreat birds.
thanks for sharing.
peace.
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Thanks RP !
DeleteHow well they handle the birds. I have seen a similar show in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore.
ReplyDeleteYes the handlers are superb too !
DeleteI liked the owl. There is a mystic mystery about owls and their hoot.
ReplyDeleteThis eagle owl was magnificent !
DeleteIt's great to be able to see these birds up close and watch them fly. Wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane.
DeleteGreetings, my friend. I attempted to comment on your other blog but was not able to find a comment section.
ReplyDeleteThis is a superb set of photos. Some really fine pictures of these incredible birds. Must have been a great show. We had a bird show with some of these same birds at our Silver Springs park, but I think that was discontinued for financial reasons.
Thank you for stopping by our blogs!
Thank you Sir !
Deletewow this is magnificent! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Baishali !
DeleteGreat shots. It is amazing how well the birds and their trainers are able to interact.
ReplyDeleteIndeed yes: there is perfect harmony between them !
DeleteIt’s amazing how these birds of prey follow the instructions. The eagle owl looks like a show stealer. I adore its stare. Glad they form a organization to save these endanger species.
ReplyDeleteThe conservation efforts they take in the US to support endangered species, is simply amazing.
DeleteI'm kinda scared of these birds. But they are beautiful big birds. I know what you mean about the bird handlers. I felt the same way when I once had the opportunity to watch them at work.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are scary. But generally they do not attack humans but only prey of their size or smaller. The demo was spectacular.
DeleteWow some stunning pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteWhat an experience it must have been .
ReplyDeleteThanks Team G.
DeleteHuge birds and great shots. But its kinda scary and those instructors handle them so well!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Ramya.
DeleteThis was a visual treat once again Rama! I am sure this must have been a once in lifetime experience!
ReplyDeleteyes indeed it was a lifetime experience !
DeleteWow what a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteThanks DK !
DeleteTo protect endangered species is hard work,I think. Ibis in japan is also endangered species. Because of japanlike ibis,I want this birds survive.
ReplyDeleteBig bird was held by a women in the picture but it is not heavy,I wonder.
Have a nice day!
Very happy to learn that efforts are being made in Japan to save the Ibis. The big bird is an eagle owl. I suppose it will be light. I did not have the chance to hold it :)
DeleteHere after quite a while. That bird has stunning eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shiju !
Delete