The Draper Museum Raptor Experience

The Draper Museum Raptor Experience is an exciting live raptor education program at the Draper Natural History Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The Draper is one of five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which embraces the Spirit of the American West. What better way to celebrate the wildness of this wonderful area than by sharing some of its most spectacular wild animals with our guests. Visitors to the Center have the unique opportunity to get an up close and personal view of some of Wyoming’s most recognized predators – the birds of prey!

A Short-eared own standing in snow with a small rodent in its beak.
March 14, 2016

My Favorite Interesting Facts About the Short-eared Owl

For many people owls are a favorite bird, with Short-eared Owls being just one of more than 200 species worldwide. The smallest,…

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Great-horned Owl in a Russian Olive tree, eyes partially closed
February 29, 2016

If I Only Had Eyelids Like a Bird

If I had eyelids like a bird, I wouldn’t have to worry about the Wyoming wind. Raptors and other birds not only…

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The coloring of the Common Nighthawk helps it blend in with its daytime roosting location.
January 25, 2016

Nighthawks, Hawks In Name Only

The name “nighthawk” causes some confusion as it suggests that this might be a true hawk. This bird, however, is not even related…

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Golden eagle nest with on chick, and both parents.
January 4, 2016

Hummingbird Nesting and Deadbeat Dads, or Are They?

When I think of the birds in our Draper Museum Raptor Experience education program and the golden eagles in our Draper Natural…

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December 22, 2015

The Amazing Owls

The Order of owls (Strigiformes) is a well loved group of birds. In fact, it is the owls that we humans have…

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Close-up of a peregrine falcon with vivid yellow beak details and deep black plumage, showcasing sharp eyes and feather textures.
December 9, 2015

How Hats Helped Save the Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon is one of the best-known birds in the world. Found on every continent except Antarctica, this species has won…

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