Why Up to 90% of Raptors Don’t Survive Their First Year

When you think of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, you likely think of one of the South’s largest college campuses and a football stadium packed with fans chanting, “Warrrrr eagle!!” And while their mascot is a tiger, it’s the eagle that makes a regal display before every football kickoff.

The reverence the school has for this beloved unofficial mascot is perhaps best captured by the work done at the campus’s Auburn University Raptor Center, which is a testament to the dedication and passion of those committed to the conservation, rehabilitation, and education surrounding birds of prey.

The Founding of the Center

The origins of the Auburn University Raptor Center trace back to a small barn near the University’s veterinary school. Dr. Jimmy Milton, a veterinarian with a passion for aiding injured raptors, started taking in hawks and eagles needing care. “He kind of became the regional hub for those birds,” says Amanda Sweeney, Assistant Director of Raptor Training and Education. The U.S. Wildlife Service began sending injured raptors to Dr. Milton, and his modest setup became so much more — the foundation for the Raptor Center was laid.

Over time, the center expanded significantly, evolving from a singular focus on rehabilitation to encompassing education and research initiatives. Today, the center houses both rehabilitation and education departments and serves as a facility for raptor care and awareness.

What Exactly Are Raptors?

Raptors, also known as birds of prey, include eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, owls, kites, and ospreys. These majestic creatures share key characteristics: sharp talons, hooked beaks, and exceptional hunting skills. “It’s a pretty big category of birds, but they have a few common characteristics that they share,” Amanda explains. These specialized traits enable raptors to dominate the skies and play a critical role in ecosystems as apex predators.

The Challenges Raptors Face

The wild is an unforgiving environment for raptors, with mortality rates in the first year of life reaching as high as 80 to 90 percent. Human activities exacerbate these challenges. “One big problem is lead poisoning,” Amanda explains. Lead fragments from ammunition can poison raptors that consume affected prey. Similarly, the use of rat poison indirectly harms raptors, as the poisoned rodents become easy targets for these birds.

Collisions with vehicles and window strikes also pose significant threats, particularly in urban areas where human development encroaches on natural habitats. Vultures, often misunderstood as filthy disease carriers, face their own set of challenges. 

“Vultures tend to get the worst rap,” Amanda admits. “When people think of vultures, they’re often thinking that these are filthy birds carrying lots of diseases. Well, these guys are not spreading disease. They’re actually able to reduce the spread of disease — they have such strong acids in their stomachs that they can kill things like anthrax, botulism, and rabies. They are nature’s cleanup crew. That’s why they’re so important to protect and keep around.”

The Story of Independence the Bald Eagle

Public education is a cornerstone of the Raptor Center’s mission. Through engaging programs, on-site tours, and live demonstrations, the center seeks to inspire conservation efforts. One of its standout initiatives is the flying of eagles before Auburn home football games. “One of the eagles we are currently flying, her name is Independence,” shares Amanda. 

Independence, a bald eagle, was rescued as a baby from a Florida rehabilitation center. She was brought in with a broken wing, and having imprinted on humans, she could not be released back into the wild. “When baby birds are born, they don’t identify with their species yet,” explains Amanda, “and since she was a baby around people, she kind of thinks she’s a person. That’s an irreversible process.”

But these days, Independence has a new purpose — she is an ambassador for her species, soaring before crowds and inspiring people to learn more about raptors. “That up-close connection inspires people to care about these birds, to learn more about them and protect them,” says Amanda.

How You Can Help

Advocating for raptors starts with simple actions. Amanda shares that following wildlife laws, such as those under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, is essential. Properly disposing of trash and avoiding pesticides can prevent indirect harm to raptors, too. “Turning off extra lights and placing stickers on windows can reduce the chances of window strikes,” she tells us. Providing suitable habitats with perches and reliable food sources also supports local raptor populations.

Public involvement extends beyond individual actions. Supporting conservation organizations, volunteering, and spreading awareness can amplify efforts to protect these birds. “By looking at the number of Raptors, you can actually tell if something’s wrong in the environment,” Amanda says. “Raptors are at the top of the food chain, so if there’s a lower number of them, then either their prey has been reduced or something in the environment is out of sync.”

There’s so much more to our resident birds of prey than meets the eye.

Looking Ahead

The Auburn University Raptor Center continues to grow, driven by a vision of expanded facilities and enhanced programs. “Right now, we’re in the process of trying to grow our center,” Amanda shares. 

Increasing the size of enclosures and improving quarantine protocols for HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and injured birds are priorities. The center also provides valuable learning opportunities for veterinary students and volunteers, fostering the next generation of conservationists. And, of course, there’s always Independence’s flights over Auburn’s stadium.