Bird lovers follow the Mississippi River in winter because that’s where bald eagles seem most plentiful as the raptors dive-bomb for fish in open water near locks and dams.
At the University of Minnesota, however, an intense interest in birds of prey has no season. It’s been that way 40 years, long before the snowballing of bald eagle festivals, field trips and lectures during cold weather.
The Raptor Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine was the first place in the world to offer a residency in raptor medicine and surgery. Parts of the building are open for self-guided and narrated tours every day except Monday.
In the “feather freezer,” arranged by species, age and left versus right wing, are potential implants for patients missing full plumage.
Children can examine X-rays of the big birds and see rehabilitated eagles, hawks and kestrels that cannot survive in the wild because of disabling injuries.
Permanent residents include bald eagles Othello, who met President Bill Clinton at the U.S. Capitol, and Pi, who attends Minnesota Twins home openers.
Under construction on the campus is a bigger public education center, which includes renovated outdoor housing for these and other birds that can’t be released.
About 750 raptors, including 114 bald eagles, were clinic patients in 2014. At least 10 times as many smaller birds are referred to Harriet Alexander Nature Center, five miles away.
“Being in a migration corridor, we see a lot of out-of-towners,” said Amber Burnette, program associate at the Raptor Center. Birds are brought from the Dakotas, Wisconsin and beyond because of broken wings, gunshot wounds, fledgling abandonment and other circumstances.
More than 300 veterinarians from 26 countries have studied birds of prey at the St. Paul facility since it opened in 1974.
Visitors do not get clinic access when touring the Raptor Center because, as program educator Gail Buhl explained it, “If you were in the hospital and sick, you wouldn’t want all kinds of people looking at you.”
If you go
The Raptor Center, 1920 Fitch Ave., St. Paul, Minn., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. A one-hour “Raptors of Minnesota” program starts at 1 p.m. on weekends. 612-624-4745, raptor.cvm.umn.edu
Where to watch eagles in the wild
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that as many as 2,500 bald eagles spend the winter near the Mississippi’s locks and dams; most of the birds head north to nest as spring nears and weather warms.
That is tremendous news, because fewer than 450 nesting pairs of this species existed 50 years ago in the lower 48 states. Now there are 10 times as many because of conservation and recovery efforts, and the bald eagle in 2007 came off the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife.
Plentiful in communities along the Mississippi are tips about where to watch bald eagles, winter field trips, lectures and other events devoted to raptors. Still to come:
Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, Prairie du Chien, Wis., is Feb. 27-28. Most activities and talks are free. Topics include bird migration issues, nature photography, raptor conservation and Mississippi River waterfowl. Expect an introduction to at least five species of birds. 800-732-1673, prairieduchien.org
A four-hour Bald Eagle Bus Tour leaves Galena, Ill., at 8 a.m. Feb. 28. Environmentalist Terrence Ingram of the nonprofit Eagle Nature Foundation provides narration. Preregister online at $70 per adult and $50 per child. 815-594-2306, eaglenature.com
Bald Eagle Watching Day in Ferryville, Wis., is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7. That means learning about the bird from representatives of Ho Chunk Nation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others. Children make an eagle-sized nest. 608-734-9077, visitferryville.com
These Midwest facilities welcome visitors and help birds of prey all year.
World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, Mo.: On 305 acres of forest, west of St. Louis, is a nonprofit devoted to avian conservation and rehab, but a nature center also is home to mammals and reptiles. Rehab hospital staff members specialize in raptors and parrots. World Eagle Day on March 29 means free wildlife hospital tours, talks by naturalists and shows that involve eagles that live on the premises. 636-225-4390, worldbirdsanctuary.org
National Eagle Center, Wabasha, Minn.: Artwork, film clips, taped interviews with conservationists and five feathered residents teach the habits, history and legends associated with eagles. The interpretive center and observation area, open since 2007, face the Mississippi riverfront.
Events increase during SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources) with the Eagles on March weekends. Educators lead occasional field trips. 651-565-4989, nationaleaglecenter.org
Howell Conference & Nature Center, Howell, Mich.: The state’s largest wildlife rehab facility, west of Detroit, cares for 2,300 creatures per year and is a 300-acre classroom for environmental education. In addition, there are ropes courses, a seven-stop zip line and Michigan’s tallest outdoor climbing wall (a 60-foot-tall tower). Groups of 15 or more can rent overnight lodging. 517-546-0249, howellnaturecenter.org
Northwoods Wildlife Center, Minocqua, Wis.: Ten types of raptors, each nonreleasable, are ambassadors of education at this working rehab and environmental center that in 2014 treated 64 species, including eight types of raptors. Free guided tours happen on weekdays during winter. Visiting hours and programs expand in summer. Donations appreciated. 715-356-7400, northwoodswildlifecenter.org
