Wade & Kris Eldean Wildlife Exhibit

A bird of prey, also known as a raptor, is a carnivore that hunts other animals. It differs from other birds that eat animals because raptors catch prey with their feet. Their keen eyesight helps them find their prey while their sharp beak and talons allow them to catch and kill their prey.

All of the birds housed in our facility have been permanently injured or disabled meaning they can not return to the wild. We maintain permits with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to house the birds and use them for educational purposes.

The ODC does not have a wildlife rehabilitation license, and cannot take in injured wildlife. All of our birds come from state licensed rehabilitators who determined the birds would not survive on their own. If you find an injured bird or another wild animal, you can look up a licensed rehabilitator at michigandnr.com/dlr.

We feed our birds over 15,000 items each year including mice, rats, quail, and fish. Birds of prey don’t drink water! They get all the water they need from their food. The water bowls you see out in warm seasons are for bathing.

• Improve Habitat: Raptors need places to live with nesting sites and hunting grounds. By removing invasive species, you can provide quality habitat.
• Check for Nests: Before you cut down a tree, look for active nests. Wait for breeding season to be over before removing the tree.
• Use Alternatives to Poison: If trying to rid your home of rodent pests, use traps or methods other than poison. Poisoned rodents can leave your home and be later ingested by raptors. Eating these rodents can make the birds very sick and even kill them.
• Hunt Responsibly: Make a positive identification before shooting a firearm to avoid protected birds. Leaving the carcass in the woods can be a tasty treat for many birds who scavenge (this includes eagles). If they ingest a lead bullet or too much meat from around a bullet site they can get very sick or die.
• Learn More About Raptors: Schedule a bird of prey program for your group.
• What are those things hanging from their legs? Those are called jesses! Many of our birds are trained to be ambassadors for their species and are used for educational programs. During a program the birds are handled by sitting on gloves. The jesses help us keep the birds safe. It does not hurt them (it is just like wearing a watch or bracelet for us) and they can always move around their home.