What is a Bird?

What is a Raptor?

Learn About Birds of Prey

Threats to Birds of Prey

Test Your Knowledge!

Classroom Activities

Links

Facts

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu)
Learn what to do with an injured raptor. Take a raptor adventure and look at photos of a raptor being rescued. Listen to hawk, owl, and osprey vocalizations and feel like you are part of the wilderness. Teachers take a closer look at owl pellets with you students and explore a little deeper.

The Peregrine Fund (http://www.peregrinefund.org)
Learn about the international projects that are taking place with birds of prey. You can click on a map and learn about what is taking place with birds all around the world. Also look at field notes that biologists and students have been working on together.

The Canadian Peregrine Foundation (http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca)
You don't want to miss these amazing webcams! Learn about a variety of peregrine falcons and other Canadian raptor species. Find out about the history, myths, lifecycle, migration and flight of these great raptors.

Hawks Aloft, Inc. (Kids Corner) (http://www.hawksaloft.org/kids.html )
Take a raptor quiz and see how much you really know! Read stories from other kids about their experiences with raptors. Also look at some raptor artwork that students have created.

Sea World - Busch Gardens Diurnal Birds of Prey (http://www.seaworld.org/birds/bird.cfm)
Take a look at a detailed scientific classification chart on diurnal birds of prey. Learn about the anatomy and physiology, along with the diet and eating habits of these amazing birds. This site also offers suggestions on great books.

Audobon Birds and Science (http://www.audubon.org/bird/watchlist)
Here you will learn more about Audubon’s bird conservation work. We focus on involving people to find solutions to the challenges faced by birds in the modern world. Why not take part in one of our Citizen Science activities and help provide information to scientists to support our conservation work-we have activities to suit people of all levels of experience, expertise, and available time.

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology (http://birds.cornell.edu/)
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is devoted to the study and protection of birds. Check out this site to learn more about the Cornell lab and what they actual do. This site also provides news updates, a bird and sound of the week, and also examples of different bird vocalizations.

Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center (http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/raptor/)
Check out some amazing 2D and 3D photos of raptors, with great close-up detailed photos of the raptors' eyes, beaks, claws, feathers, and wings.

The Birds of Prey Foundation (http://www.birds-of-prey.org)Want insights and need to contact a bird expert? Go to this link and learn what's new! This site has updated information about new discoveries and projects that the foundation is working on.

Introduction to Birds (http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/birds/birdintro.html)
This is a great introduction site to begin exploring birds of prey. Check out a bird of prey fossil record, life history and ecology, and also learn about systematics.

The Owl Pages (http://www.owlpages.com/)
Explore owls, by comparing and learning about the different locations of owls all around the world. Learn about what an owl is and how it works. Even look at some owl artwork and even a photo gallery.

Longevity Records of North American Birds
( http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/longvrec.htm)
Ever wonder how long a bird can live? Do you know how to find the oldest bird? Have your questions answered at this site! Look at the longevity records of different species.

A Falconer's Memoir (http://www.pbs.org/falconer/falconry/)
Falconry is an art. It requires long hours, constant devotion, finesse, subtlety and skill. The falconer must train a bird of prey to fly free, hunt for a human being, and then accept a return to captivity.

Kids Planet (http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html)
This site includes a fact sheet about wild animals. Click on a location in a continent and explore wildlife behavior. Look at all the different owls that come from around the world.

The Bald Eagle (http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/)
Learn more about our Nation's bird from its description, feathers, and eyesight, to its migration patterns and feeding habits. There are also great graphics included in this site.

North America Birds of Prey (http://www.eagles.org/otherbirds.html )
Check out North American Birds of Prey!

Wild Facts
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/nature/wildfacts/)
See images of birds from the United Kingdom. You select the type of bird or animal and then explore the different species from falcons to eagles, to kites, and owls. Learn about the birds social behavior, communication patterns, and see if these birds are on the endangered species list. Fun photos and facts included!

Bird Photos
(http://www.photovault.com/Link/Animals/Birds_
Falconformes/ABFVolume01.html)
Check out this amazing wall of pictures! You can select any category and start exploring! Select the eagle, buzzard, and hawk category, and see birds of prey. You can even send a postcard for free with a picture of a bird of prey.

Western U.S.
(http://www.barbarascamera.com/birdsofprey.html)
This site includes all Birds of Prey in the Western United States. Learn what to do with an injured bird. Learn how to distinguish the difference between raptor species.

The Nature Museum
(http://nature.museum.gov.ns.ca/nature/nhns/t11/t11-4.htm)
This site includes information about food supply, breeding, species diversity, and cultural factors. Learn some keywords that are important when discussing birds of prey. Some other topics include information about types of habitats such as marshes, wetlands, and forests.

Sources for the Birdy Teacher

The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
(http://www.birdsofprey.blm.gov/nat-res/bop.htm)
The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) is home to the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America. Choose a topic above to browse their website to learn more raptor information.

Peterson Online (http://www.petersononline.com)
This is your link to the natural world. Take a look at some videos, music, and books that can help assist you in teaching birds of prey. Seach the index for other links, resources, and events, and identifications. You can even read some articles from the leading birding magazine.

Acorn Naturalists - (http://www.acorn-group.com)
New resources for the trail and classroom. Look at a complete catalog with descriptions, photographs and electronic ordering for more than 4500 resources for science and environmental education.

Local sources from which to acquire additional birds of prey information:

Bureau of Land Management
( http://www.birdsofprey.blm.gov/education/index.htm)

Bureau of Land Management
Four Rivers Field Office
3948 Development Ave.
Boise, Idaho 83705
208-384-3300

* Raptors In A Box Teacher Instruction Notebook and Traveling Trunk
* Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Information
* Live Birds of Prey Presentations
* Limited Raptor Information (for dissemination)

The Peregrine Fund
(http://www.peregrinefund.org)

World Center for Birds of Prey
5666 Flying Hawk Lane
Boise, Idaho 87309
(208) 362-3716

* World Center for Birds of Prey Visiting/Educational Center
* Tour of Visiting/Educational Center and Live Birds of Prey Presentation
* Limited Raptor Information (for dissemination)

U. S. Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division
http://srfs.wr.usgs.gov/

SRFS Contact Information:
USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Snake River Field Station
970 Lusk St.
Boise, ID 83706 USA
Phone: (208) 426-5200
Fax: (208) 426-5210

* Raptor Research Information
* Photographic Guide for Aging Nestling Raptors

Additional Readings From the Raptors Teachers Instruction Notebook

Included in the Box

1. Animal Fun Activity Book: BIRDS by Educational Insights.
2. An Usborne Guide: The Young Naturalist by Usborne Publishing.
3. Bald Eagles in Idaho - A Nongame Leaflet by Idaho Fish and Game
4. Birds of Prey Coloring Book by J. Green.
5. BLM Activity and Coloring Book by U.S. Dept. of Interior.
6. BLM/IDARNG Research Project Final Report by U.S. Dept. of Interior
7. Eyewitness Books: BIRD by D. Burnie
8. Hawks, Owls, and Other Birds of Prey by D. Fourie et al.
9. Owl Babies by M. Waddell and P. Benson
10. OWL MOON by J. Yolen and J. Schoenherr.
11. OWLS: Whoo are they? by K. Jarvis and D. Holt.
12. Raptor Rapture - Cape Cod Times Newspaper Article by J. Connelly
13. Snake River Birds of Prey Booklet by U.S. Dept. of Interior
14. Snake River Birds of Prey NCA Idaho Visitor's Guide by U.S. Dept. of Interior.
15. Snake River Birds of Prey NCA Managment Plan by U.S. Dept. of Interior
16. Snake River Birds of Prey NCA Managment Plan - Responses to Public Comments by U.S. Dept.of Interior.
17. State and Federal Threatened/Endangered Species Information by Idaho Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
18. Talons: North America Birds of Prey by M. Miller and C. Nelson.
19. The Peregrine Fund Brochure and Bookmark by the Peregrine Fund, Inc.
20. The Science Series: Birds by J. Moore and M. Evens
21. The Wonder Series: OWLS On Silent Wings by A. Cooper.
22. Usborne First Nature: BIRDS by Usborne Publishing.
23. Wise as an Owl: A Resource and Teacher's Guide to Birds of Prey by L. Langelier.
24. Zoobook: Birds of Prey by Wildlife Education.

Library
General...
1. Great Creatures of the World: Falcons and Hawks
2. On the Brink of Extinction: The California Condor

Children Books…
1. A Place for Owls
2. Bald Eagles
3. Birds of Prey - Author: Ian Newton / NY: Facts on File, 1990.
4. Eagles: Highlights for Children
5. Eyewitness Juniors: Amazing Birds of Prey
6. My Side of the Mountain - Author: Jean Craighead George / NY: Dutton, 1988.
7. Owls in the Family - Author: Farley Mowat / Boston, Little, Brown, 1961.
8. Peregrine Falcon
9. Raptor Rescue