World Bird Sanctuary

The World Bird Sanctuary opened the Raptor Hospital in 2003 to treat ill and injured raptors. Raptors, or birds of prey, include eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, falcons, kites, condors and osprey. The biggest threat to these majestic creatures is collision with man-made objects such as wires, buildings, vehicles and fences.

The sanctuary receives over 300 raptors that have been injured in the wild each year. A trained rehabilitation team works closely with volunteer veterinarians to rehabilitate these birds and release them back to the wild to live out their natural lives. The ones who can't make it in the wild live here.
J G Ward

Lizzard Buzzard

Skyler, a Lizzard Buzzard.
J G Ward

Great Horned Owl

Jake, the Great Horned Owl.
J G Ward

Long-crested Eagle

Chrys, the Long Crested Eagle.
J G Ward

Spectacled Owl at the World Bird Sanctuary

Latee, a Spectacled Owl.
J G Ward

K-ee-oo

K-ee-oo, talking and flapping his wings. Photograph by Mary Elizabeth.
J G Ward

Augur Buzzard

K-ee-oo, the Augur Buzzard.
J G Ward

Tawny Eagle

Max, a Tawny Eagle. Photograph by Mary Elizabeth. He was barking, like a dog, to get the attention of the staff member who was answering questions about the birds.
J G Ward

Red-shouldered Hawk

Meramec, the Red-shouldered Hawk.
J G Ward

Thick-Billed Parrot

Thick-Billed Parrot on display.
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Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet Macaw eating peanuts at the World Bird Sanctuary.
J G Ward

Green Tree Python

Green Tree Python(Morelia viridis. Photograph by Mary Elizabeth.
Anna, the Green Tree Python is found in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia. Young snakes are brilliantly colored golden-yellow or brick-red, colors found in native arboreal flowers. When resting, it loops itself saddle-fashion over a branch, anchoring itself with its prehensile tail and cradling its head in the middle of its comfortably draped coils, as seen in this photograph.
J G Ward

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles, photographed by Mary Elizabeth. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national bird, is the only eagle unique to North America. The bald eagle's scientific name signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. Bald eagles are found over most of North America, from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico.
J G Ward

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture, photographed by Mary Elizabeth.
The Turkey Vulture is one of North America's largest birds of prey. It reaches a length of 32 inches with a wing span of 6 feet. Its overall color is brown-black with a featherless, red head, white bill and yellow feet among mature adults. Immature birds have a darker face. Although usually silent, the bird will occasionally emit a soft hiss or groan. In flight, the Turkey Vulture rocks from side to side, rarely flapping its wings which are held at a V-angle called a dihedral. Silver-gray flight feathers look lighter than the black lining feathers of the underwing. Its long tail extends beyond its legs and feet in flight.
J G Ward