Located in a small town on Alberta’s vast prairies is a place I really enjoyed visiting! The Alberta Birds of Prey Center is located in the corn-growing region of the province, about a two hour drive south of Calgary.
The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation began its conservation work in 1982 and was the province’s first private raptor rescue and conservation organization. Their work has expanded through the years, including the construction of this Center in 1989, with a gradual expansion of its facilities in subsequent years.
Thousands of injured birds of prey have been received at the Center from most Canadian provinces for care and rehabilitation. Most of these injured birds are released back into the wild, but the most seriously hurt, if they recover, are kept for exhibit purposes. Captive breeding of endangered birds has been successful, with their release into the wild (e.g. burrowing owls). Perhaps of greatest importance is that the center engages and educates the public and builds important support for conservation efforts.
(Some of the trails you can enjoy around the Birds of Prey Center)
You’ll enter a visitors center which includes a gift shop and tourist information. When I visited there also was a young hawk chick for people to look at, shown below. From here you’re free to explore the facility at your own speed. Special demonstrations are held at set scheduled times, so check what’s happening when you arrive to help you plan your day.
There are several paths you can explore, including a waterside walk, but my favorite is the Hawk Walk where you can see a variety of birds sitting on perches very close to you. You can hold a number of these birds (which are quite tame) with a leather glove and have your photo taken with them if you’re interested. This walk provides an opportunity for excellent up-close photos of birds of prey and is where most of the photos in the blog were taken.
(Burrowing owl, an endangered species in Canada. They live in abandoned badger holes)
(Great horned owl is the Provincial bird of Alberta)
(Swainson’s Hawk)
(Red-tailed hawks are common on the prairies and are used in the center’s aerial demonstration show)
(Barn owl)
(Short eared owl — a tiny fellow)
(Peregrine falcon)
(Small Whet Owl, one of the smallest in Canada)
(Ferruginous Hawk, the largest hawk in the world)
One of the newest additions to the Birds of Prey Center is the Alberta Centennial Natural History Center. As the name implies, the center has a lot of informative displays about the natural history of the area, heavily emphasizing its birds.
While they are not birds of prey, one of the more entertaining and popular experiences at the center is feeding the flock of ducks. I always enjoy the sound of ducks — they seem so happy.
The Birds of Prey Center is only open in the summer months. Admission fees are very reasonable and support the running of the facility and conservation efforts. The center is funded by your admissions and private donations, and is largely staffed by volunteers — they operate with government approval, but do not receive any government funds.
A visit to the Birds of Prey Center is very recommended to anyone enjoys birds or is traveling with children.
