All birds of prey entering the facility are given a full medical evaluation at the Bird & Pet Clinic of Roseville. All raptors are vaccinated for protection against west nile virus and are put on an antifungal prevention program.
This program utilizes general and master falconers for evaluation of raptors needing special handling or evaluation which a flight chamber cannot provide. Species of raptors entering this program range from Red-Tailed Hawks, Kestrels, Barn owls, Great Horned owls, Swainson’s hawks Goshawks Coopers Hawk, Sharp Shinned Hawk, Merlins, Peregrine falcons and Golden Eagles to name a few. The falconer’s role is to work with the raptor and evaluate the raptor’s free flight and ability to survive in the wild. To date, falconers have evaluated more than 200 raptors. Efforts are made to place the non-releasable raptors with educational facilities if the raptors behavior and adjustment to a captive life is acceptable.
BPHG is highly respected for the work they do with golden eagle(s). The Golden Eagle is considered to be the most magnificent of the raptor species.
Bald and Golden Eagles have different hunting styles and social requirements. Fledgling Bald eagles do not require the same intense rehabilitation that fledgling Golden Eagles do. The eagle program was established to address the specific needs of the fledgling golden eagle. BPHG has experienced over the years that the nestling or fledgling golden eagles do not develop the proper hunting skills and survival techniques in a flight chamber. These eagles, when released, are not properly trained for survival in the wild. Any nestling or fledgling golden eagle is first placed in the eagle flight chamber to be with other eagles to help decrease any potential imprinting. After 2-4 months, they are then placed with a master falconer to be trained to ride the thermals, soar the ridgelines, pursue and catch game. This has been a great program only possible due to the positive response and help from the falconry community. Strict requirements must be met before an eagle is placed with a master falconer. To date over 30 eagles have entered this program. Not all eagles in this program were released to the wild; those that are not releasable due to their injuries are evaluated for life as an educational raptor. Many have been placed in educational programs throughout the US.
