Found a Hawk, Owl, Falcon, Eagle, or Vulture?

Central Oregon Raptors

Raptors are birds of prey such as hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, and vultures. 

Nestling and fledgling raptors are most commonly seen in the spring and summer. They should be reported to Think Wild as soon as possible. It is often possible to reunite orphaned raptors with their parents once the hospital team has assessed their condition. 

Injured raptors should be contained and brought to Think Wild for care.

DO NOT offer food or water to injured or orphaned animals! 

Below are tips for different ages of raptors.

Nestling Raptors

Nestlings are...

  • Fuzzy or downy
  • No visible adult feathers, or very minimal adult feather development
  • Live full-time in the nest
  • Dependent on parents

If you find a nestling

  • At night or outside of hotline operating hours…
    • Nestling IS NOT injured, nest and parent present 
      • Place nestling back into nest
      • Check back in the morning for alertness and parents
      • Contact Think Wild at 8 am - (541) 241-8680  
    • Nestling IS INJURED and/or nest and parent not found
      • Carefully contain nestling using a sheet, towel, or blanket
      • Place in a well-ventilated box or crate lined with a sheet or towel
      • Provide heat support: fill a sock with uncooked rice and microwave 1 minute - wrap in a towel
      • Keep nestling in a dark, quiet location away from humans and pets
      • Contact Think Wild at 8 am - (541) 241-8680
    •  
  • During the day… 
    • Contact Think Wild immediately - (541) 241-8680
    • Look for signs of injury - blood, debris, heavy/shallow breathing
    • Look for adult birds
    • Look for the nest

  •  

Renesting Resources

  • Lolo Tree Works - (503) 367-5638 
  • Arbor 1 Tree Service - (541) 846-8018 
  • Central Oregon Tree Experts - (541) 480-9488

 

Please contact the wildlife hotline ASAP if you find a nestling raptor - (541) 241-8680

Fledgling/Branching Raptors

Fledglings/Branching Raptors are...

  • Getting true feathers 
  • Somewhat fuzzy/downy
  • Nearly as large as adults
  • Old enough to be leaving the nest
  • Commonly seen on branches or the ground near their nests
  • Dependent on parents - parents still providing food and protection

If you find a fledgling

  • At night or outside of hotline operating hours…
    • Fledgling IS NOT injured, parent present 
      • Leave fledgling there, take a photo from 25+ feet away - do not feed or approach
      • Check back in the morning for alertness and parents
      • Contact Think Wild at 8 am - (541) 241-8680  
    • Fledgling IS INJURED and/or no parents present
      • Carefully contain fledgling using a sheet, towel, or blanket
      • Place in a well-ventilated box or crate lined with a sheet or towel
      • Provide heat support: fill a sock with uncooked rice and microwave 1 minute - wrap in a towel
      • Keep fledgling in a dark, quiet location away from humans and pets
      • Contact Think Wild at 8 am - (541) 241-8680

 

  • During the day… 
    • Contact Think Wild immediately - (541) 241-8680
    • Look for signs of injury - blood, debris, heavy/shallow breathing
    • Look for adult birds
    • Lean branches against nearby trees to provide accessible perches

Please contact the wildlife hotline ASAP if you find a fledgling raptor - (541) 241-8680

Injured Raptors

Great Grey Owl

Adults are...

  • Fully feathered
  • Fully flighted
  • Not downy or fuzzy
  • Not dependent on parents

 

Signs an adult raptor needs care

  • Visible wounds, blood, or debris on the bird
  • Very heavy or very shallow breathing
  • Neurologic symptoms: head tic, wobbly, tipping over, etc.
    • Special Note: These can be symptoms of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). If these symptoms are observed, do not attempt to capture the raptor - Contact Think Wild ASAP - (541) 241-8680
  • Lethargy
  • Shaking
  • Crusty eyes or nasal discharge
  • Visibly uneven wings
  • Entanglement in barbed wire, garden netting, fencing, etc.
  • Window strike
  • Caught by a predator or domestic animal (ALL cat-caught native wildlife require treatment)
  • Unable to take flight
    • Special Note: Eagles will sometimes eat so much they are temporarily unable to fly. If you do not observe obvious injuries and the eagle is bright, alert, and responsive, please monitor for at least 4 hours. If it is after hours, check back on the eagle in the morning and contact Think Wild ASAP - (541) 241-8680

 

Bald eagle release Think WildIf you find an injured adult raptor

  • At night or outside of hotline operating hours…
    • Wear heavy gloves
    • Carefully contain raptor in a box or crate using a sheet, towel, or blanket
    • Cover the bird's eyes during capture to limit stress
    • Keep in a dark, quiet location away from humans and pets
    • Contact Think Wild at 8 am - (541) 241-8680
  • During the day… 
    • Contact Think Wild immediately - (541) 241-8680
    • Monitor the bird's condition and behavior from at least 50 feet away
    • Take photos and videos
    • Contain the raptor if instructed to do so, or stay in the area until Think Wild team arrives

 

Please contact the wildlife hotline ASAP if you find an injured raptor - (541) 241-8680

Want more raptors on your property? Get in touch with our wildlife field services coordinator about constructing kestrel nest boxes or hawk perches on your property!

 

hawk perch