Birds of Prey

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Lulu was rescued as a baby in Tarpon Springs. She is non-releasable due to habituation. LuLu can often be seen at the Raptor Exhibit greeting visitors at the Center.
Hatch Year: 2015
Weight: 5 pounds
Wingspan: 40-57 inches
Lifespan in the Wild: 7 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 12 years
Fun Fact: “Tskili” is the Cherokee word for “magic maker,” which is what they call Great Horned Owls.
About my Species: Did you know? Great Horned owls do not build their own nests. They take nests from other birds.

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Add Fulton's story here. Fulton came AWARE Wildlife Center just outside of Atlanta. We do not know how he was injured, however, his wing is damaged. This makes him a non-flighted bird and un-releasable. He can often be seen at the Raptor Exhibit greeting visitors at the Center.
Hatch Year: 2017
Weight: 3 pounds
Wingspan: 45-52 inches
Lifespan in the Wild: 15 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 28 years
Fun fact: Red-tailed hawks control rodent populations even in urban areas.
About my species: More prevalent in the Northeastern United States with the population in slight decline in the Southeast portion of the country.

Swallow-Tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Sunshine was found on the ground at Deep Creek Plantation by FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). She suffered a collision impact and is no longer able to fly.
Hatch Year: Unknown
Weight:  500 grams
Wingspan:  inches  Tail length:
Lifespan in the Wild:  years  (Imperiled)
Lifespan in Captivity: Unknown
Fun Fact: Swallow-Tailed Kites eat many types of flying insects, including many types of Florida stinging insects. Kites will often capture entire wasp’s nests and bring the nests back to their own to consume the larvae. Kites will also eat lizards, frogs, and snakes when given the opportunity to snag one off of a tree.
About my Species: Swallow-tailed kites used to nest in 21 different states. They now reside in only seven.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
Joe Z fell out of her nest as a small chick sustaining nerve damage in her shoulder. During rehabilitation, she became imprinted which makes her non-releasable. 
Hatch Year: 2016
Weight:1-1 ½ pounds
Wingspan:42-46 in
Lifespan in the Wild: 2 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 15 years
Fun Fact: Barn Owls have the some of the best hearing abilities in the animal kingdom. Her head is almost always moving as she uses her asymmetrical ears to triangulate the location of the sounds she hears. Barn owls have the BEST hearing of all animals tested.
About my Species: Barn owls can capture a mouse in complete darkness because they can hear them breathing.