Buffalo Bill Center of the West

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Buffalo Bill Center of the West

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  • Visit
    • Current HoursDecember 1–February 29: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday–Sunday
    • Hours & RatesPlan your visit to the Center of the West.
    • Group SalesWe welcome commercial group and bus tours.
    • Facility RentalsThe Center is the perfect place for your next event.
    • Visiting YellowstoneYour best stop on the way to or from Yellowstone.
    • LodgingSelect from a variety of local accommodations.
    • ItinerariesDiscover some quick day trips in and around Cody.
    • DirectionsFind driving directions and check road conditions.
    • StoriesFind your story among ours.
    • Calendar of EventsSee what events are happening during your visit here.
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  • Learn
    • School Programs & ResourcesEssential info and resources for teachers and students.
    • Family ProgramsFamily-friendly programs, activities, and craft ideas.
    • InternshipsCollege students may apply to gain museum experience.
    • Skype in the ClassroomLive, interactive K–12 field trips.
    • WorkshopsExplore hands-on programs for kids, families, and adults.
    • Conservation InternshipsTraining for conservators from all over the world.
    • Pre-K ProgramsSet up a guided tour for your preschool class.
    • Field TripsInvestigate outdoor adventures for adults and children.
    • Highlights MapsDiscover collection highlights in each of our museum.
    • Games and InteractivesLearn about the collection through online interactives.
    • Lectures & FilmsPlan for future talks and view past program videos.
    • Western EssaysDelve into historical information on western topics.
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Clothing and Accessories
    • Gifts
    • Native American Replicas
    • Fine Art
    • Quality Leather
    • Native American Jewelry
    • Navajo Rugs
    • Pottery
    • Prints
    • Media
    • Baskets
  • Research
    • McCracken Research LibraryFind books, photos, archives, media, and more.Buffalo Bill Center of the West
    • Digital CollectionsExplore our extensive photo and manuscript collections.
    • Archival Collection List and Finding GuidesBrowse inventories of archival collections.
    • The Papers of William F. CodyDiscover scholarship on the man and the myth.
    • Fellowship ProgramContribute to new scholarship using Center collections.
    • Buffalo BillUncover in-depth information about William F. Cody.
    • Greater Yellowstone Natural HistoryLearn more about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
    • Western ArtDelve into the lives and works of western artists.
    • Plains IndianDiscover more about Plains Indian tribes and collections.
    • FirearmsFind a firearms bibliography, glossary, and more.
    • ConservationFind out how we preserve Center collections.
    • Rights and ReproductionsLicense or reproduce images from our collections.
  • Support
    • Planned GivingLeave your legacy with a bequest or estate gift.
    • Patrons BallAttend our annual gala fundraiser.
    • MembershipBecome a supporter and receive great benefits.
    • VolunteerSupport the Center with your time and talent.
    • Our next raffle car: a 1967 Pontiac GTOBuy your tickets online for this amazing prize!
    • Give TodayMake a donation to programs and operations.
    • Why I SupportSee what motivates donors to give to the Center.
    • We have a winner for the car raffle for 2019Winner: from Lusk, Wyoming, with ticket #0553
    • Raptor ExperienceHelp provide care for our avian friends.
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Home > Draper Natural History Museum > The Draper Museum Raptor Experience > Seven Facts You May Not Have Known About Birds of Prey

Seven Facts You May Not Have Known About Birds of Prey

January 19, 2015 by Melissa Hill

Here are some facts you might not know about birds of prey

  • FACT #1: There are 30 species of hawks, falcons, and eagles as well as 18 species of owls breeding in North America.
Red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, great horned owl

Red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, great horned owl.

  • FACT #2: The scientific name of turkey vultures, Cathartes aura, means “purifying breeze” which reflects vultures’ ability to clean-up animal remains.
Turkey vulture with a gull carcass it has found.

Turkey vulture with a gull carcass it has found.

  • FACT #3: The bald eagle has 7,192 feathers. Feathers on a bird are not evenly distributed. They grow in distinct tracts or lines, with large areas of bare skin that help cool the bird.
Diagram showing the feather tracts of a bird. Courtesy of http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/feathers.html

Diagram showing the feather tracts of a bird. Courtesy of http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/feathers.html

 

  • FACT #4: Most birds do not make it past their first winter. This is usually due to predation or starvation.
Great horned owl chicks waiting to be fed

Great horned owl chicks waiting to be fed.

  • FACT #5: Kestrels can see ultraviolet light which allows them to see trails of urine left by their prey, ultimately leading this small falcon to dinner.
American kestrel scanning the ground for prey.

American kestrel scanning the ground for prey.

  • FACT #6: Birds of prey have very strong instincts and are very good hunters. Each has his own personality and hunting style, just as people do.
Immature peregrine falcon with its kill.

Immature peregrine falcon with its kill.

 

  • FACT #7: Falcon eyes are fifteen times proportionally larger than a humans.
Replica of a peregrine falcon skull. Note the size of the "eye socket."

Replica of a peregrine falcon skull. Note the size of the “eye socket.”

 

Filed Under: The Draper Museum Raptor Experience
Tagged With: American Kestrel, bald eagle, Bald eagles, bird of prey, birds of prey, eagle, eagles, facts, falcon, falcons, Golden eagle, great horned owl, hawk, hawks, owl, owls, peregrine falcon, raptor, raptors, red-tailed hawk, turkey vulture, vulture, vultures

 

About Melissa Hill

While earning her Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management at the University of Wyoming Melissa began volunteering at Laramie Raptor Refuge and was instantly hooked on birds of prey.

Since those early days, she has worked with nearly 70 different raptors at four different raptor education groups in three states. She is a member of the Education Committee for the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) and a National Association for Interpretation's Certified Interpretive Guide.

When she's not "playing with the birds" she enjoys spending time quilting, crocheting, and exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with her boyfriend and two dogs.

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