Raptor Rescue and Care
RAPTOR RESCUE AND CARE
Overview:
Raptors are birds of prey (hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures). Their sharp talons and beak can cause serious injury to humans. Always wear heavy gloves, eye protection, and have a large towel or blanket ready before attempting a rescue.
Physical Description of a Raptor: Adult raptors have sleek feathers, usually in shades of brown, gray or black. They have large eyes and a large, sharp beak. Their feet are also large, and they have talons (sharp, black claws) that can be very dangerous.
Note that vultures do not have talons, but they should still be treated as raptors.
Baby owls (owlets) are covered with very fluffy white or gray downy feathers. They have large eyes, sharp beaks, and big feet with large talons (black claws). Many baby raptors have big yellow feet. Baby hawks are covered with downy white fluffy feathers. They have large, sharp beaks and big feet with large talons (claws). Baby vultures are covered with downy white fluffy feathers. They have green faces and make a loud hissing sound.
RESCUE STEP 1. Determine the age of the raptor.
Observe the raptor's size and physical features to determine her age.
- Nestling
- Appearance: Covered in downy white or gray fluff. May seem weak or wobbly. Can’t walk or flap.
- Care Needed: Immediate warmth and care.
- Fledgling or “brancher”
- Appearance: Covered in downy white or gray fluff, but with some adult feathers showing. Can walk and flap. Will likely be very defensive.
- Care Needed: Immediate warmth and care.
- Adult or Subadult
- Appearance: Adult raptors have sleek feathers, usually in shades of brown, gray or black. They have large eyes and large, sharp beaks. Their feet are also large, and they have talons (sharp, black claws) that can be very dangerous.
- Note: Adult raptors can be dangerous to handle.
RESCUE STEP 2: Determine if the animal requires rescue
- A nestling raptor ALWAYS needs rescue.
- A fledgling raptor on the ground ALWAYS needs rescue
- An adult raptor that doesn’t fly away from you ALWAYS needs rescue.
RESCUE STEP 3: Determine if wildlife professionals should be called in
- Nestling raptor: No. You should be able to safely rescue this baby raptor yourself
- Fledgling raptor: No. With care and proper protective gear, you should be able to rescue this young raptor yourself
- Adult raptor: Yes. Adult raptors can be hazardous to handle. IMPORTANT: Always call for professional assistance before attempting to rescue.
**IF animal age is ‘adult’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Rescuing an adult raptor can be hazardous. Only if you cannot reach professional assistance, and if you feel safe doing so, please follow the instructions below to safely rescue the adult raptor.”
- **IF {contact_location} includes Marin, give information to contact Marin Human
- **IF {contact_location} does not include Marin, recommend using AnimalHelpNow at https://ahnow.org/ or tell them to contact their local animal control organization.
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: “You should be able to safely rescue this baby raptor. Please follow the instructions below.”
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: “You should be able to safely rescue this baby raptor. Please follow the instructions below.”
RESCUE STEP 4: Collect protective gear as needed
**IF animal age is ‘adult’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: Heavy gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, two heavy towels or blankets. Note: Gardening gloves, ski gloves or mechanics’ gloves are too thin and will not offer enough protection. Get heavy gloves and a thick towel or blanket for protection. The raptor’s talons can easily puncture light gloves and cause serious injury.
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: Heavy gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, two towels or blankets
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: Light gloves and a towel
RESCUE STEP 5: Prepare a container for the rescued animal
**IF animal age is ‘adult’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Use a large box or bin with a lid and pre-punched air holes or a large pet carrier. Line the container with a towel.”
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Use a box or bin with a lid and pre-punched air holes or a pet carrier. Line the container with a towel.”
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’: ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Use a small box or bin with a lid and pre-punched air holes or a small pet carrier. Line the container with a lightweight towel. You will need to provide heat for this baby hawk or owl if you can’t get him into care quickly.”
RESCUE STEP 6: Have another person assist. Raptors (hawks and owls) have sharp talons and can cause injury.
RESCUE STEP 7: With the container beside you, throw something over the animal to restrain him.
**IF animal age is ‘adult’: “Toss a towel/blanket over the raptor to restrain him, making note of where his head and feet are.”
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’: “Toss a towel or blanket over the young raptor to restrain him, making note of where his head and feet are.”
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’: “Gently place a towel over the baby raptor, making note of where his head and feet are.”
RESCUE STEP 8: With hands protected, lift the bird from behind. Make sure the feet and talons are pointed away from your body. Place the bird in the box and close the lid.
**IF animal age is ‘adult’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Wearing the heavy gloves, or using a second towel to protect your hands, lift the raptor from behind and away from your body. Use the towel to contain the bird’s wings close to his body. Make sure his feet and talons are pointed away from your body.” IMPORTANT: Keep the bird’s feet and talons pointed away from you. Do not put yourself at risk.”
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Wearing the heavy gloves, or using a second towel to protect your hands, lift the raptor from behind and away from your body. Use the towel to contain the bird’s wings close to his body. Make sure his feet and talons are pointed away from your body. Place the bird in the container. IMPORTANT: Keep the bird’s feet and talons pointed away from you. Do not put yourself at risk.”
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’ ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Wearing the gloves or using a towel to protect your hands, lift the baby raptor from behind and away from your body. Place the bird in the container. IMPORTANT: Keep the bird’s feet and talons pointed away from you.”
RESCUE STEP 9: Does the animal need to be kept warm? Follow instructions if so.
**IF animal age is ‘adult’: No. An adult raptor does not need supplemental head
**IF animal age is ‘fledgling’: Yes. A fledgling raptor should have a supplemental heat source. IMPORTANT: Only place the heat source under half of the container so the animal has the option to roll off the heat if he gets too hot.
**IF animal age is ‘nestling’: Yes. A nestling bird of any species needs supplemental heat. IMPORTANT: Only place the heat source under half of the container so the bird has the option to roll off the heat if he gets too hot.
RESCUE STEP 10: Transport the animal to care as soon as possible.
**IF {contact_location} is ‘Local’ and IF {contact_time} is ‘During Hours’, tell them to bring the raptor directly to WildCare. Remind them to stay quiet and not peek at the bird because human presence is stressful.
**IF {contact_location} is ‘Local’ and IF {contact_time} is ‘After Hours’, tell them to keep the bird in a warm, dark quiet room overnight and bring him to WildCare when we open at 9:00 in the morning. Remind them to stay quiet and not peek at the bird. IMPORTANT: a nestling bird will need supplemental heat.
**IF {contact_location} is ‘Not Local’ and IF {contact_time} is ‘During Hours’, tell them to use Animal Help Now https://ahnow.org/ to find their closest wildlife care center. Give them the option to call WildCare for assistance. Remind them to stay quiet and not peek at the bird because human presence is stressful.
**IF {contact_location} is ‘Not Local’ and IF {contact_time} is ‘After Hours’, tell them to use Animal Help Now https://ahnow.org/ to find their closest wildlife care center and give advice about keeping the animal safely overnight. Remind them to stay quiet and not peek at the bird because human presence is stressful.
ALWAYS INCLUDE: “Do NOT offer food or water. A stressed animal will not eat, and food and water will spill and stick to the bird’s feathers. Stay quiet and do not peek at the bird because human presence is stressful for wildlife.”