North Texas Raptor Rescue

07/19/2026

06/12/2026

04/09/2026

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 200 mph when diving (stooping) to catch prey. During these high-speed dives, it can strike with enough force to stun or kill instantly—making it one of nature’s most precise aerial hunters. 🏹
Speed, power, and precision all in one incredible bird.

04/04/2026

Rat poison doesn't just kill rats.

It kills everything that EATS rats.

→ Anticoagulant rodenticides (d-CON, etc.) cause internal bleeding over 3-7 days
→ Poisoned rats become SLOW and EASY to catch
→ Hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, cats, and dogs eat the slow rat
→ They ingest the poison (SECONDARY POISONING)
→ Studies: 70-90% of tested raptors show rodenticide in their systems
→ It's the #1 cause of poisoning death in birds of prey in the US

Who dies from YOUR rat poison:
→ Red-tailed hawks
→ Great horned owls
→ Barn owls (eat 3,466 rodents/year — your BEST rat control)
→ Cooper's hawks
→ Foxes and coyotes
→ Neighborhood cats and dogs

THE ALTERNATIVE:
→ Snap traps: INSTANT kill, poison stays in the rat, nothing else is exposed
→ Electronic traps: same — instant, contained
→ Seal entry points (the BEST long-term solution)
→ Remove food sources (secure trash, pet food, birdseed)
→ Encourage natural predators: a barn owl family eats 3,466 rodents/year FOR FREE

California BANNED second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in 2021 due to wildlife deaths.

More states are considering similar laws.

A snap trap costs $2.

A dead hawk costs the ecosystem. 🦅

04/03/2026

🦅 Raptor Fact of the Day
The Red-tailed Hawk can see up to 8 times more clearly than humans. From hundreds of feet in the air, it can spot something as small as a mouse moving through grass—then dive with incredible precision to catch it.
Nature’s built-in zoom lens. 🔍

04/01/2026

🦉 Raptor Fact of the Day
Raptors don’t just rely on sharp vision—they also have incredible grip strength. For example, a Great Horned Owl can exert over 300 pounds per square inch with its talons—stronger than the human hand! This powerful grip allows them to instantly immobilize prey in complete silence.
Perfectly designed for survival—and a reminder of just how important it is to protect these incredible birds. 💛

03/30/2026

Give your child a summer adventure they'll never forget!
At Prairie Explorers Summer Camp at Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, kids will explore the prairie, meet incredible birds of prey, and dive into hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

🦅 Up-close raptor encounters
🌿 Outdoor prairie adventures
🎨 Experiments, crafts, and creative projects

Designed for kids ages 6–12, this camp blends wildlife, learning, and fun in an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Learn more & register:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/blacklandprairieraptorcenter/event/summercamp/

03/30/2026

Looking for an unforgettable field trip?
Bring your students to Blackland Prairie Raptor Center for a hands-on learning experience in nature. Students will meet live raptors, explore the native Blackland Prairie on a guided hike, and participate in interactive educational activities designed for their age group.
It's the perfect way to bring science and nature to life outside the classroom.
Learn more and book your field trips using the link in the comments.

03/29/2026

🦉 A beautiful little reminder of why community matters 🦉

Yesterday, a member shared a concern about a fledgling that had been left behind after all three had fledged on Thursday. She gently placed it back on the tree and it branched its way partly to safety. Later that evening it was found again on the ground near her front door. She gently placed it in a nearby bush hoping Mom or Dad would find it and coax it to safety. This morning it was found in the same location and at this point, intervention is necessary to reunite the family.

I went out to assess the situation, and after a careful search, we were able to locate Dad nearby in a tree. We safely placed the fledgling up into the same tree, giving it a much better chance of reuniting—and not long after, Mom made her appearance.

While continuing to observe the area, we also discovered a second fledgling, though the third was not immediately located.

Situations like this remind us how important it is not to leave a fledgling on the ground, as they can be vulnerable to predators and other dangers, even if they appear uninjured.

In the end, this turned into a hopeful and heartwarming outcome—Mom and Dad reunited with at least one of her young, and the situation was stabilized thanks to quick action and teamwork.

Grateful for everyone who cares enough to step in, ask questions, and help protect these incredible raptors. 💛

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center