Display Birds
Some of the birds on display at the Sanctuary are retired program animals; some are individuals that are non-releasable but not well suited for outreach programs. These birds are just as important as our ambassador birds in teaching the public about their species. They just do it from their own enclosures.
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a medium-size owl with a large round head and dark brown eyes. The Barred Owl lacks ear-tufts and is easily identified by the vertical bars on its chest.The Barred Owl inhabits wet, wooded areas preying on rodents, reptiles and amphibians. Their call can be heard resounding through night “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all”.
Apollo
Apollo was imprinted on people as a owlet and doesn't recognize his own species. An imprint is an animal who is raised by a human instead of its own parents. Most of his life was spent as a program bird but now he is retired and is a display bird. Apollo is very popular with visitors because he will talk to them as they walk by his enclosure.Barn Owl
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a medium-size owl with a white heart-shaped face and tawny back and tail. The Barn Owl nests in caves, barns, hollow trees and abandoned buildings.Once common in Ohio, the Barn Owl is now struggling for its survival due to the loss of grassland habitat. These beautiful birds depend on open moist grassland habitat for their primary prey source, the Meadow Vole.
Athena
Athena was bred in captivity to be released as a part of reintroduction of barn owls into the eastern United States. A lack of good habitat kept her from being released and she became a resident educational bird at the Sanctuary. She is now retired from programming and can be found on display at the Sanctuary.Short-eared Owl
One of the few diurnal owl species, the Short-eared Owl winters in the lower 50 states and breeds in the tundras of Canada. They can be seen in Ohio in the winter hunting low over large open fields in small hunting groups
Wink
Wink came to the Sanctuary after being hit by a car during migration. The accident did extensive nerve damage to her wing. She is now a display bird at the Sanctuary.Eastern Screech Owl
The Screech-Owl (Otis asio) is a small owl with ear-tufts and large, yellow eyes. The Eastern Screech-Owl has two color phases; red or grey. These small owls inhabit woodlots, parks and residential areas and prefer to nest and roost in hollow trees. Nesting boxes can be erected to attract this small predator to your backyard. Screech-Owls primarily prey on small rodents and insects.
Avery
Avery was struck by a car and was not able to be returned to the wild. Avery is used as a surrogate-parent to baby screech owls that come to the Sanctuary. She can be found on display in the small raptor area on the end of the songbird aviary.American Kestrel
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest of the falcon species in Ohio. Nicknamed the "sparrow hawk" this small falcon can be seen hunting meadows and roadways from its perch on a power line. Kestels are cavity nesters and often will raise youun in hollow trees, buildings and man-made bird houses.Kestrels are one of the few birds of prey that show difference in color between male and female. Males have slate blue wings, a rusty-red tail and a buff colored chest with black teardrops. The female's wings are brown and black speckled, their tail is banded brown and black and the chest is pale with dark speckles.
Puffin
Puffin was imprinted as a youngster and is now in the process of being trained to be a program bird. he is on display with Ditch (another Kestrel) at the Sanctuary.Cooper's Hawk
This species is a small hawk with a long tail and short wings, an adaptation used in the pursuit of small birds through trees and bushes. the Cooper's numbers have risen greatly, as bird feeding has become a favorite backyard pastime. Many of these birds are injured when they fly into windows while chasing prey.
Cooper
Cooper was struck by a car and suffered damage to her wing. She is able to navigate her cage but can't fly well enough to sustain long flights.Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vultures feed primarily on carrion (dead animals). Identified by a characteristic red head, The Turkey Vulture flies with their wings held in a upward V. The juveniles have a dark head and are often mistaken as Black Vultures. Turkey Vultures nest on the ground in fallen trees, caves or old barn foundations.
Ralph
Ralph came to the Sanctuary with a broken wing that healed improperly. He is unable to fly and was placed at the Sanctuary as a display bird. He resides with the songbirds in the aviary.American Crow
The American Crow is an omnivore. Their diet consists of small animals, invertebrates, fruit, nuts and insects. The American Crow will live in urban and rural environments. They are very social and dedicated to their family members.
CeeCee
CeeCee is an imprinted crow that was brought to the Sanctuary because he is unable to go back to his species. He is in training to be a program bird now but can still be seen on display at the Sanctuary.Colee
Colee is a first year bird who was found unable to survive on his own in the wild. It was determined that he would no be a good candidate for release. He and CeeCee have formed a bond as the very family oriented crows tend to do.