<>
Northwest Wildlife Online
Birds Mammals Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates
Mission Editor Bio Site Map Contact Wildlife Park Links Further Study Employment Northwest Trek HOME
Saudi Arabian Wildlife Afghanistan Wildlife
The World Center for Birds of Prey
by John M. Regan
A pleasant drive down Highway 84
West just outside of Boise, The World
Center for Birds of Prey is a delight for avian lovers and naturalists of all
ilk. The Center sits atop a large
plateau with a panoramic view of plateaus, basins, and valleys that sweep and
roll to the horizon in all directions.
It is a perfect setting for an institution dedicated to raptors.
I had not heard of the Center before and I approached without high
expectations. The standard formula
brown and white signs that advertise the center from the highway are not overly
descriptive. I have visited similar
types of institutions before, and while I deeply admire the cause, these places
are generally underfunded to put it mildly.
I assumed I’d see the usual assortment of talon adorned birds perched in
relatively small enclosures, but well cared for in a earnestly run, donation
needy, zoo like setting. Wrong!
At the rock sculptured entry to
the Center I began to suspect that this might be something more than another
bird sanctuary; and as I drove along the swirling, well-kept entrance lane that
seemed to go on and on I knew that this place was something special.
Two large, modern buildings and an aviary bordered the expansive parking
lot. It was immediately evident
that The World Center for Birds of Prey was a major institution.
About the only thing wrong that I could see was the weather.
Wet, cold, and generally miserable it was not a prime day for bird
watching. But this worked in my
favor since I was the only soul visiting that morning.
At the entrance and gift shop I introduced myself and immediately fell
into a pleasant conversation with volunteer working there.
Luck was on my side again.
The live presentation featuring a Peregrine Falcon was nearly cancelled due to
lack of an audience. But now there
was an audience – me. The show
would go on.
The entry point to the World Center; Bill Rath lecturing in one of the rooms of the Interpretive Center.
Bill Rath, a bird handler and avian expert, met me at the
gift shop and took me on a quick tour of the Center and some of the animals
housed there. The World Center for
Birds of Prey is operated by, and is the main base of operations for the
Peregrine Fund, an organization dedicated to the mission of saving birds of
prey. The mission of The World
Center for Birds of Prey is research and captive breeding of raptors.
They are not a wildlife rehab
center, a fact emphasized by sprawls over 580 acres west of Boise, Idaho and
consists of the business
offices of The Peregrine Fund, breeding facilities for endangered birds of prey,
an interpretive center, research library, and The Archives of Falconry.
Right from the start Bill Rath and I hit it off.
We hail from the same generation of music lovers (a kind way of saying
we’re not all that young), share roots in upstate New York, and have a common
association with Jack Hannah. Bill
is a knowledgeable, easy going gent, brimming with enthusiasm for his avian
subjects and imparts his experience with the fluidity of a country stream.
We went through the outdoor exhibits relatively quickly due to the before
mentioned weather, then spent some time in the impressive interior displays.
Afterward Bill gave me an up front and personal introduction to Jess, a
Peregrine Falcon.
That the center is a well funded and well run is obvious.
The centerpiece, pardon the pun, of the Center is the Velma Morrison
Interpretive Center. This includes
outdoor aviaries and courtyard plus a variety of indoor exhibits of live birds
with wide glass fronted enclosures for superb viewing.
There are six individual educations rooms that focus on everything from
avian conservation to artwork and the Tropical Theater where live bird
presentations are conducted.
The artwork, educational, and museum type exhibits are extraordinarily
professional and well lit. Many are
interactive and all are visually exciting; a treat for adults and children.
Bill escorted me back to the main entrance, but as
I was about to express my thanks and say good bye, I ran into Christy Commons,
an experienced docent at the Center who was about to give one of the newest
docents an introduction to her new duties.
Christy asked if I’d like to see “the Archives.”
Sure, I thought. I’m always
interested in books. “You’re in for
a real treat,” she said. Together
with the Center’s newest docent in training, we took a quick, wet walk across
the parking lot to the “Archives of Falconry” building.
We opened the doors into an exhibit that defies anyone’s stereotype of an
archive. The Archives of Falconry
is the world’s largest collection of memorabilia, museum specimens, antiques,
trivia, and information resources devoted to the sport and science of falconry.
Originally the “Archive of Falconry” was mainly just that –
a large library about falconry with a collection of falconry artifacts.
In 2006, however, it suddenly doubled in size thanks to a very generous
donation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates.
And what a donation it turned out to be – 3,000 square feet of new
building! All my fond memories of
the Saudi peninsula sprang back to life in the archives.
A panorama photograph of the desert covers one entire wall; you can
almost feel the heat emanating from it.
I had to stop myself from scanning the photo for reptiles.
Dominating the middle of the new wing is a perfect replica of the
colorful temporary dwellings used by wealthy Arabians for desert outings.
This tent with its beautifully carpeted interior is actually composed of woven
goat hair and was made in Syria.
A life sized reproduction of a portion of an Arabian fort and a desert camp
site round out the atmosphere. The
entire exhibit is of Smithsonian quality and that alone is worth the visit.
A peak at the interior of the newest addition to the Archive of Falconry donated by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates
Without exaggeration my visit was one of the most delightful
mornings I’ve spent. Bill Rath was
a perfect host and everyone at the center was exceptionally knowledgeable and
courteous – and anxious to answer questions.
These folks want to talk to
you! The next time you are anywhere
in the vicinity of Boise, Idaho direct yourself to The World Center for Birds of
Prey. If you are an avian
enthusiast of any caliber put the Center on your “must see” list.
To call this a rewarding experience is
an awful understatement. But I do
recommend a sunny day – and bring your binoculars.
You’ll be astounded.
HOOAH
Jack
<>
Birds Mammals Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates
Mission Editor Bio Site Map Contact Wildlife Park Links Further Study Employment Northwest Trek HOME
Saudi Arabian Wildlife Afghanistan Wildlife