Fred - Red-tailed Hawk

Fred, a red-tailed hawk, came to the MRP in 2006 after spending 9 years in an Omaha raptor facility. He was transferred from the Omaha location when it closed due to a lack of funding.  Fred was named after a local reporter in Omaha that was a huge supporter of their program.  He has a fractured right humerus that impacts his ability to fly and hunt.

Notice the streaking, or "belly-band" and the white chest.  The "belly band" is a common field mark, but the coloration of red-tails can vary.  See the buff colored chest in the previous post with Orion. Look closely at the bottom picture and see the red tail feathers that give these birds their name. These hawks are born with pale tan tails and do not get the red tails feathers until they are 2 years old.  This is one of the few raptor species that show their age.

Thank you for supporting Fred the Red-tailed Hawk.

Venue - Turkey Vulture

Venue, a Turkey Vulture, came to the MRP in 2011 with a fractured right wing.  Due to the severity and the location of the injury, Venue was not able to be released.  Turkey Vultures spend a great deal of time soaring and migrate in the spring and fall.  The amount of time in the air would put a great deal of stress on the injured wing.  The name was chosen because a group of vultures is called a venue.

Turkey Vultures are diurnal raptors, meaning that they are active during the day and sleep at night.  They are about 2- 1/2 feet tall, have a wing span of over 6 feet and they can weigh up to 4 pounds.  They are common and widespread throughout North America.

Thank you for supporting Venue the Turkey Vulture..

Orion - Red-tailed Hawk

An unusual situation brought a red-tailed hawk to the MRP in 2003.  An individual found an injured hawk in Illinois and took the bird to a "non-wildlife" veterinarian.  The vet performed a total amputation on the injured left wing and returned the bird to the individual.  Because it is illegal to keep any bird of prey without a permit and current regulations require euthanasia for birds needing this type of amputation, the hawk was brought to the MRP for evaluation.  Upon reviewing the case, we petitioned to keep the bird due to the extenuating circumstances.

The MRP was awarded a permit to house this hawk and we immediately began working to incorporate "Orion" into our educational programming.  Orion was named after the constellation, because red-tailed hawks are known to be very patient and efficient hunters.  Orion has not only adapted to his injury, but has also become one of our travelling education birds.

Red-tailed Hawks are diurnal raptors, meaning that they are active during the day and sleep at night.  They are about 2 feet tall, have a wing span of 4 feet and they can weigh up to 3 pounds. They are common and widespread throughout North America.

Thank you for supporting Orion the Red-tailed Hawk.

Bubo - Great Horned Owl

The first profile in our "Ambassadors" series, will be one of our oldest residents.  Bubo, a Great-horned Owl (GHOW), came to the MRP in 1999, after spending 20 years at the Bever Park Zoo.  He was named after his Latin scientific name Bubo virginianus.  Bubo is human imprinted, which means that he was found as a baby and raised by humans.  Although still wild, imprints do not learn the needed instincts to survive, instead they can learn to depend on humans. Unfortunately, there is no way to correct this issue.

Great Horned Owls are nocturnal raptors, meaning that they sleep during the day and are active at night.  They are about 2 feet tall, have a wing span between 3.5 and 4 feet and they can weigh up to 4 pounds.  They are common and widespread throughout North America.

Thank you for supporting Bubo the Great Horned Owl.

MRP - Our Ambassadors

The Macbride Raptor Project (MRP) is made up of two facilities: The Macbride Raptor Clinic, located on Kirkwood Community College's (KCC) Cedar Rapids campus and the Macbride Raptor Center, located at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA), near the Sugar Bottom area.  The Raptor Clinic is where injured raptors are brought for evaluation and treatment.  They are then taken to the Raptor Center for rehab and potential release.

Permanently injured educational birds are housed at both facilities.  There are sixteen cages at the Raptor Center.  These cages are set up for a self guided tour and are placed in a scenic and natural setting.  There is a bird blind, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, as well as plenty of hiking and camping.  There are also ten cages set up on the KCC campus.  With twenty-six cages, the MRP has between 24 and 30 permanent residents to care for.

While only a few of these raptors travel for educational programming, they are all available to be sponsored.  For more information on programming, sponsorships, or donations, please call the Raptor Clinic at 319-398-5495.  Leave a message and someone will get back to you.  You can also send donations to:  Raptor Clinic, Washington Hall
                       6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
                       PO Box 2068
                       Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Over the next few weeks, I will post photos and information about some of our ambassadors.  I will start with our lesser seen birds from the KCC facility.  Any of these birds may be adopted/ sponsored.  An adoption includes a photo of your bird, an adoption certificate (which can be renewed annually) and a local program, or tour.  We also encourage our out of town fans, followers and supporters to get involved through a "pay it forward" sponsorship.  This would allow us to take your donation and apply it toward a program for a local school of your choice, or a school in need.  Just write "Pay it forward" in the memo line of your check.

Thank you all for your generous support!

The Macbride Raptor Project

   The Macbride Raptor Project or "MRP" is a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of Iowa's raptors and their natural habitats. We achieve our goals through the rehabilitation of sick and injured raptors, educational programs for the public, and field research of Iowa's native birds of prey.
   We offer several opportunities to support our program.  Families, individuals and organizations can help the MRP continue to fulfill our mission through educational programming, corporate sponsorships, and private donations.
   There are several options for educational programming that are available to groups of all sizes and ages.  MRP offers tours of the Macbride Raptor Center, where we house sixteen permanently injured birds of prey.  Staff will lead a tour of the sixteen cages and our bird blind.  We educate on the species that are seen, as well as environmental and conservation topics.  We also offer traveling programs.  Staff will bring two birds of prey to your location and offer information on the MRP, the birds that are being presented and environmental and conservation topics.  Adoptions are available with either type of programming.  Through an adoption, specific birds can be sponsored.  With an adoption, you will receive a one year adoption certificate and a framed picture of the sponsored raptor. Please contact our clinic, at 319-398-5495, to ask about pricing and to schedule educational programming.
   Corporate sponsorships and private donations can be made to help with food costs, medical costs and maintenance costs.  Not only does the MRP house, feed and treat 25 - 30 permanent residents, but we also see 140 - 160 sick, or injured raptors annually.  These birds are in our care for varied lengths of time, depending on the severity of the injury and the extent of the rehabilitation.  If you are interested in programming, or sponsorships, please call 319-398-5495.  If you are interested in sending a donation,
Checks can be made payable to MRP and sent to:
Raptor Clinic, Washington Hall
6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
PO Box 2068
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

   Thank you for your support.