Birds of Prey

Say hello to our magnificent birds of prey!

Our raptors are housed outdoors, and you can walk right up to their enclosures and view their amazing adaptations — from feathers and beak to the talons that give raptors their name ("raptor" means "to seize or grasp" which is exactly how raptors capture their prey.)

Most of our raptors have been adopted from the River Raisin Raptor Center education program. Our regal and beautiful birds have each suffered a permanent injury that makes them unable to survive in the wild, where even a seemingly small injury spells the difference between predatory dominance and certain death.

These non-releasable wild birds have been trained to be ambassadors by educating people about the issues facing raptors today. They visit schools and attend special events and are amazing to watch in our on-site programs. (Please note: because our birds keep so busy, one or two might be away when you visit.)

See what's on the menu for our birds of prey!
Drop by and see how their feet and beak work together to help birds like the red-tailed hawk eat a rat or the peregrine falcon consume a quail. Every Saturday from 4-6 p.m., volunteers will be feeding the birds and answering your questions — after watching these birds in action, you'll likely have quite a few! Please note: this is not an official program but a free drop-in event. Please be aware that birds may or may not be coming out of their enclosures to eat. This is largely dependent on the skill of the volunteer.

***The Critter House will not be open during the weekends of Dec. 24-25th and Dec. 31-Jan.1st. The raptor enclosures will not have volunteers on site during those weekends either. Happy Holidays!***

Our Partners
In 2006, the River Raisin Raptor Center in Manchester, Michigan chose Leslie Science & Nature Center to be the permanent home for its injured, educational birds. We are thrilled by this honor and take the responsibility of caring for the birds very seriously. Thank you Dody Wyman for your confidence in us and your continued support!