Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

MEET OUR BIRDS

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

As a new conservation effort, we are growing and each month adding to the species that we are able to offer exposure to and education about.  Our main goal is conservation and protection of birds of prey through education and personal experience and knowledge. These truly are the superheroes of the living world, including the fastest living, breathing animal (the peregrine falcon) and their longevity and survival depends on our understanding of their key role in evolution and our own survival as a species.  These birds, though NEVER PETS, are part of our family, cared for and treated with the upmost concern for their well-being and quality of life. We do not have any birds that are not free-flown regularly at different points of the season.  We currently have some AMAZING and RARE birds, such as a Eurasian eagle owl and an ornate hawk-eagle!  Our experiences FULL of FUN, EXCITEMENT AND MAGIC. The newest addition to the experience is an ADORABLE burrowing owl, truly a must see!


Owlbert fly
A Eurasian eagle owl

Prince Owlbert

Eurasian Eagle Owl – Bubo bubo

 

Eurasian Eagle-owls are found throughout much of Europe and Asia and in parts of northern Africa. Eurasian Eagle-owls seem to do well in most types of habitat if there are available nesting spots and adequate prey. Eurasian Eagle-owls are mostly nocturnal, or active at night. They spend their days roosting, or resting, in a safe perch. If they spend too much time on the ground, even these top predators may fall prey to opportunistic ground predators like foxes.

 

a bird sitting on top of a grass covered field

Halo

Ornate Hawk Eagle – Spizaetus ornatus

Meet Halo, a breath-taking and rare raptor found in Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. These eagles thrive in tropical and subtropical forests, where there are abundant nesting sites and prey availability. They spend their days hunting for a variety of prey, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Known for their striking plumage and powerful build, they are skilled hunters, often ambushing their prey from a concealed perch.

Ornate hawk eagle
a hawk perched on a tree branch
a close up of a bird

Gloriana

Augur Buzzard – Buteo Augur

The African version of North America’s Red Tail Buzzard (Hawk). The Buteo Augur is roughly the same size and pursues the same type of prey. Gloriana was hand-reared because an extreme snow storm caused his parents to stop rearing him, so he became an “imprint” (ie, imprinted to whoever raised him from his tender age of just days). She is therefore very comfortable around humans and easy to see up close and fly to the fist of guests. She has a lovely temperament for a “killer”.

a bird sitting on top of an owl

Guapo

Burrowing Owl – Athene cunicularia

Meet our newest, arguably most adorable addition, Guapo! Burrowing Owls are found throughout North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. These small owls prefer open habitats such as grasslands, deserts, and agricultural areas, where they can find suitable burrows for nesting and plenty of prey. Unlike most owls, Burrowing Owls are often active during the day, although they can also be nocturnal. They spend much of their time on the ground or perched near their burrows, hunting for insects, small mammals, and reptiles. Despite their ground-dwelling nature, Burrowing Owls must be vigilant, as they are vulnerable to predators like foxes, coyotes, and other raptors.

GuapoLarge
a hawk sitting on a branch
a bird flying in the sky

Sophia

Saker Falcon – Falco Cherrug

The second largest falcon on the planet after the Gyr Falcon and before the Peregrine, the Saker originates in Asia.  They are a desert falcon, known to range as far as the Altai Mountains, and preferred for their endurance and tenacity at pursuing prey over long distances, known for their braking ability (longer tail) and high G-force turn ratio. This species breeds from central Europe eastwards across the Palearctic to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory except in the southernmost parts of its range. The saker falcon is the national bird of Hungary, United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia.

a bird flying in the air

Maggie

Aplomado Falcon – Falco femoralis

Maggie is our female aplomado. Aplomado Falcons are found throughout parts of North, Central, and South America, ranging from the southwestern United States to Argentina. These falcons thrive in open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, where there are ample nesting sites and prey availability. They spend their days hunting for a variety of prey, including insects, birds, and small mammals. They are skilled hunters, often seen flying swiftly and gracefully as they pursue their prey. 

a bird sitting on a glove
a bird sitting on a branch
a kestrel sitting on a glove

Jalapeño

American Kestrel – Falco Sparverius

American Kestrels are found throughout North and South America, from Alaska and Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. These small falcons are highly adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including grasslands, deserts, urban areas, and farmlands.  They are often seen perched on wires or poles, scanning the ground for prey. Kestrels primarily hunt insects and small mammals but can also catch small birds and reptiles. Despite their small size, American Kestrels are formidable hunters, using their sharp talons and beaks to capture and kill their prey.

a bird standing on a dry grass field

Sacred

African Pied Crow – Corvus Albus

Meet Sacred, our comedic relief, and only corvid at Wing Blade! African Pied Crows are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and south to South Africa. These adaptable birds thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including savannas, forests, urban areas, and agricultural lands, as long as there are suitable nesting sites and abundant food sources.  They spend their days foraging for a diverse diet, which includes insects, small mammals, fruits, and carrion. Known for their intelligence and problem-solving skills, these crows often work together to find food and protect their territories.

a bird sitting on top of a grass covered field

Recommended Activities