Cascades Raptor Center facts for kids
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| Date opened | 1987 |
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| Location | Eugene, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°59′15″N 123°04′47″W / 43.987438°N 123.079764°W |
| No. of animals | 37 |
| No. of species | 21 |
| Annual visitors | 25,000 |
The Cascades Raptor Center is a special place in Eugene, Oregon. It's like a hospital and a home for amazing birds of prey, also known as raptors. These are birds like eagles, hawks, and owls! The center helps injured or sick raptors get better. As of late 2020, about 37 individual birds from 21 different species live there permanently.
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A Home for Raptors: How It Started
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The Cascades Raptor Center began in 1987. It started as a non-profit group, which means it's run by people who want to help, not just make money. At first, they took birds to schools and public events. Visitors could not come to the center itself.
In early 1994, the center moved to its current spot. Now, people can visit and see the birds! The center's main goal is to rescue, help heal, and then release sick or injured birds back into the wild. Some birds cannot go back to the wild. This might be because of their injuries or if they got too used to humans. For these birds, the center provides a safe, long-term home.
Meet the Amazing Birds of Prey
The center is a permanent home for about 50 individual birds. These birds represent 30 different native species of raptors. Raptors are birds that hunt for their food. They have sharp claws and beaks. In 2014, the center helped nearly 300 injured birds.
Who Lives at the Center?
The birds at the center include most of the raptor species found in Oregon. You can see many types of owls, like the barn owl, barred owl, burrowing owl, and the large great horned owl. There's even a snowy owl!
Other birds include the turkey vulture, which helps clean up nature. You might also spot majestic bald eagles and golden eagles. The osprey is a cool bird that dives for fish.
Hawks and Falcons
The center also has many kinds of hawks. These include the ferruginous hawk, northern goshawk, and the common red-tailed hawk. Fast-flying falcons are also residents. Look for the tiny American kestrel, the speedy merlin, and the incredibly fast peregrine falcon. Some non-native birds, like the Eurasian eagle-owl, also live here.
Learning About Raptors: Educational Programs
The Cascades Raptor Center offers many ways to learn about these incredible birds. You can take a self-guided tour around the facility. This lets you explore at your own pace.
Guided Tours and Special Programs
The center also has guided educational programs. These are great for groups, big or small. Programs like "Walk on the Wild Side" let you explore with an expert. "Reading with Raptors" combines stories with bird encounters. Staff can also lead private tours just for your group.
Bringing the Wild to You
The learning doesn't stop at the center! Staff and some birds can visit classrooms and other places. They offer presentations like "Bring the Wild Alive." These visits help more people learn about raptors and why they are important. All programs can be changed to fit what your group wants to learn.
