An overwhelming majority of the birds we remove are “nuisance birds”—mainly English house sparrows, pigeons, and some grackles thrown in for good measure. However, it’s the birds of prey that capture the imaginations of our customers and make the best stories. (Check out some of our Amazing Bird Adventures and see for yourself!)
We asked Meridian’s resident raptor expert, Sarah P., for some fun facts about these avian hunters. Sarah used to direct a wildlife rehab center for birds of prey. She is now a Team Manager with Meridian Bird Removal.
What is a raptor?
Any bird that hunts and feeds on other animals is a raptor, or bird of prey. That includes eagles and hawks, but also owls and vultures.
Does Meridian remove many raptors?
We don’t see a lot of raptors going into buildings. We’ve captured a few owls and even a kestrel. The most common bird of prey we’ve removed is the Cooper’s hawk.
It’s a smaller bird than a red-tailed hawk or an eagle, with a wingspan of about 32 inches. Unlike other hawks, which hunt rodents, Cooper’s hawks go after birds. So they usually end up in buildings chasing after sparrows.
Are raptors dangerous to people?
No. They are more afraid of us than we are of them! That’s because we are much larger, so they see us as predators.
What should people do if a raptor flies into their building?
First, leave the bird alone. Trying to capture it will just stress it out. It may lash out, and you do not want to tangle with those talons.
The other reason not to mess with it is legal—all raptors are federally protected species. You need to be licensed to handle them. Meridian is not only trained to capture birds of prey but we’re also fully licensed and have the appropriate permits to handle most species.
Finally, don’t leave water for the bird while you’re waiting for us to arrive. One, you don’t want to encourage birds in your building. Two, raptors actually get their moisture from their prey—they don’t drink water to stay hydrated.
You obviously know a lot about raptors. What are some fun facts about these birds?
1. A lot of kids know owls regurgitate pellets. In fact, all predatory birds do this. They extract the nutrients and water, then spit up the fur, bones, feathers, and whatever they don’t use.
2. Since Cooper’s hawks hunt birds, they are extremely agile and able to make sharp turns to follow their quarry.
3. Like all birds, raptors have hollow bones. When you pick one up, you’ll be surprised at how light it is for its size. This is also because they like to puff up their feathers when approached so they appear larger.
4. One of the largest causes of death for raptors is being hit by cars! That’s because people throw organic trash out their car window when traveling—apple cores and banana peels, for example.
Not only is that against the law, but trash attracts rodents, which are the primary prey for raptors. So many hawks and owls end up on the roadside hunting rodents because people toss their fruit from their cars. Don’t do it!
5. The American bald eagle is a conservation success story. They were once endangered, with fewer than 500 breeding pairs left. Through awareness campaigns and bans on DDT, which harmed their egg shells, our national symbol rebounded. There are well over 300,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states now, with another 50,000 in Alaska.