Picture Gallery One
This is page one of the photos of our educational birds. These birds can no longer live in the wild, so they live at the American Widlife Refuge. You can have these birds visit your school or organization by asking for an educational visit. Soon you will be able to click here and purchase merchandise to help our birds!

Click picture for close up view

Adonis The Barn Owl Adonis was raised by people. He is a perfect example of why Owls can not be pets. He does not fear or respect people like a wild bird does. Since he considers himself equal to any person, he will attack people if they disturb him. Another side effect of being raised by humans is that he will attack any other owl he sees. He considers owls inferior animals. For these reasons, and because Adonis has no idea how to hunt, he cannot be released into the wild, ever.

Beanca The Steppe Eagle Beanca is our star attraction. She injured her wing in 1969, and helped John Barkas start the American Wildlife Refuge. Although she can fly, she is not able to fly well enough to hunt. Beanca is one of a very few Steppe Eagles in the United States. We only know of two (2) others. She is very similar to the local "golden eagle." Beanca has been on television, in movies, and has even been named as a holy animal to the North Carolina Cherokee Warriors. To our knowledge, Beanca is the only eagle that visits classrooms and organizations in the Raleigh NC area.

Blinky The Western Screech Owl Blinky is not native to this area. She is very similar to our eastern screech owls, but there are many differences. We got her from a refuge in the midwest that did not have room for her. We like to bring Blinky to schools and organizations to show people how different things are just a few states away! Blinky lost an eye when she was hit by a car. She was trained to try to hunt with just one eye, but she just could not do it. Now she lives at The American Wildlife Refuge, and we feed her all the food she wants.

Buckshot The Great Horned Owl Buckshot is an example of what happens when stupid people meet nature. He was shot by a shotgun. Although Buckshot survived, he can no longer function well enough to live on his own. It is a federal offense to shoot any raptor, whether it is a hawk, eagle, or an owl. It is also just wrong. Buckshot is very good at helping to teach kids and adults to be responsible when you deal with nature.

Buddy The American Kestrel Buddy is one of the most colorful birds of prey in the area. As an American kestrel falcon, buddy is of a type of bird that is found only on the American continents. Although birds like buddy live around here, most people never get to see them close enough to appreciate their beauty. Buddy had his wing damaged in a car accident. Now, he can not fly. He stays with us at The American Wildlife refuge and does presentations for schools and organizations, and he helps us raise money by visiting The American Indian Company in downtown Raleigh NC and helping ask for donations.

Dewey The Great Horned Owl Dewey is one of the toughest birds you will ever see. He was hit by a truck, and he survived it. His wing was very badly damaged, but his strength and determination pulled him through. Dewey a perfect example of the great horned owl. He is not only tough and determined, but he has a presence that makes you look at him with respect. Dewey was named after Native American woodcarver Dewey Owle. Dewey Owle is a Cherokee folk artist from the mountains of North Carolina. When the two Deweys met, they both were impressed.

DigDug The Burrowing Owl Digdug is a unique bird. Like all burrowing owls, her native habitat is under ground. These birds share their homes with prairie dogs and several other animals. Unfortunately the only one that does not share is man. Man is destroying their homes and changing the landscaping to eliminate their natural habitats. It is expected that there will be few or none of these little beauties in the wild with two generations of man (about 50 years). DigDug was hit by a car near her desert home. One of her wings and one of her eyes were damaged. She can no longer live on her own.

Eyes of Enigma Red Shouldered Hawk This is a photo of the eyes of our red shouldered hawk Enigma. This photo was taked when she was only three months old, so her eyes had not changed color yet.

Enigma The Red Shoulder Hawk Although not as well known as their cousins, the red tail; red shoulder hawks are all around us. They live near lakes and creeks, and eat frogs and snakes and lizards. Although much smaller than their better known cousins, these birds are just as majestic. Enigma injured her wing when she was only a few months old. She can fly well enough to get around, but she can not hunt. She is falconry trained. That means that unlike most of our birds, she will actually fly to her trainer and land on his arm. It is a pretty amazing sight.