Rufous

Rufous

Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio)

Rufous was admitted into rehabilitation in 2014 as an adult bird with a left wing injury after being hit by a car.  The wing had already healed improperly and was unable to be repaired, leaving him unable to fly.  Since he was non-releasable, we obtained permission from USFW to have Rufous permitted as an education ambassador.  

Vinny
Vinny

Vinny

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

Vinny became an avian ambassador for MWR in June 2018.  A young boy found a vulture's nest and thought it would be fun to steal an egg and sneak it into his mother's chicken incubator.  Vinny hatched with the rest of the chickens!  The family raised him for six weeks and over time realized they could not get him to leave!  Vinny is a human imprint because he had no contact with other black vultures during his first few weeks.  He will depend on humans to provide food and companionship for the rest of his life, making him unreleasable.  Vinny adores the attention he receives from his handlers and has a forever home with MWR.

Willow
Willow

Willow

Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)

Willow was admitted into rehabilitation for evaluation in September of 2019. His estimated age was 8 weeks. This beautiful bird had been raised, socialized and acclimated to humans from a very young age.  It was the opinion of our veterinarian he would not survive in the wild if released. Due to his amiable temperament the decision was made to welcome Willow to MWR’s education team.

 

 

 

 

 

Rufous

Rufous

Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio)

Rufous was admitted into rehabilitation in 2014 as an adult bird with a left wing injury after being hit by a car.  The wing had already healed improperly and was unable to be repaired, leaving him unable to fly.  Since he was non-releasable, we obtained permission from USFW to have Rufous permitted as an education ambassador.  

Vinny
Vinny

Vinny

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

Vinny became an avian ambassador for MWR in June 2018.  A young boy found a vulture's nest and thought it would be fun to steal an egg and sneak it into his mother's chicken incubator.  Vinny hatched with the rest of the chickens!  The family raised him for six weeks and over time realized they could not get him to leave!  Vinny is a human imprint because he had no contact with other black vultures during his first few weeks.  He will depend on humans to provide food and companionship for the rest of his life, making him unreleasable.  Vinny adores the attention he receives from his handlers and has a forever home with MWR.

Willow
Willow

Willow

Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)

Willow was admitted into rehabilitation for evaluation in September of 2019. His estimated age was 8 weeks. This beautiful bird had been raised, socialized and acclimated to humans from a very young age.  It was the opinion of our veterinarian he would not survive in the wild if released. Due to his amiable temperament the decision was made to welcome Willow to MWR’s education team.

Maya
Maya

Maya

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
Maya was admitted into rehab in November of 2018, presenting with a serious wing injury from a gunshot that prevented her from ever flying free again.
 
This beautiful owl is permitted for education and exhibition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spirit
Spirit

Spirit

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Spirit was rescued as a hatching by a well meaning couple in 2003.  After 2 weeks they transferred her to Wind Canyon Wildlife Rehab Center in Murietta where it was discovered she had a critical injury to her wing. Despite treatment from staff veterinarians and months of rehabilitation, it was determined that the injury would prevent Spirit from being able to to maintain the flight necessary to complete her yearly migration from California to Argentina.

Spirit was semi-retired in 2020 after educating thousands of children and adults for 16 years in MWR’s outreach programs to the public.  Spirit still resides with her handler Valery Smith, and they walk every day in the woods.  Spirit will be eighteen years old in 2021.

Cornelius
Cornelius
Cornelius
Cornelius

Cornelius

Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

In June 2017, Cornelius made his first appearance at MWR.  Cornelius was acquired by MWR from a reptile breeder.  At the time, he was about the size of a pencil.  Today he is 6' long!

Maya
Maya

Maya

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
Maya was admitted into rehab in November of 2018, presenting with a serious wing injury from a gunshot that prevented her from ever flying free again.
 
This beautiful owl is permitted for education and exhibition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cornelius
Cornelius
Cornelius
Cornelius

Cornelius

Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

In June 2017, Cornelius made his first appearance at MWR.  Cornelius was acquired by MWR from a reptile breeder.  At the time, he was about the size of a pencil.  Today he is 6' long!

Spirit
Spirit

Spirit

Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Spirit was rescued as a hatching by a well meaning couple in 2003.  After 2 weeks they transferred her to Wind Canyon Wildlife Rehab Center in Murietta where it was discovered she had a critical injury to her wing. Despite treatment from staff veterinarians and months of rehabilitation, it was determined that the injury would prevent Spirit from being able to to maintain the flight necessary to complete her yearly migration from California to Argentina.

 

Spirit was semi-retired in 2020 after educating thousands of children and adults for 16 years in MWR’s outreach programs to the public.  Spirit still resides with her handler Valery Smith, and they walk every day in the woods.  Spirit will be eighteen years old in 2021.

Mochni-square

Mochni

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)
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Athena

American barn owl (Tyto furcata)
Mochni

Mochni

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)
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Athena

American barn owl (Tyto furcata)