15700 Old Oak Ranch Road Sonora, CA 95370 | (209) 532–3691

Sierra Outdoor School

Part of the Clovis Unified School District

Raptor Center

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Our Raptor Center houses four birds of prey: a Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Great Horned Owls and a Turkey Vulture. They are on display under a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Our teaching staff cares for and teaches classes about these birds throughout the year.

There are two ways the public may view the birds. If your school will be coming here for our outdoor education program you can sign up for the Raptors & Conservation Class. If you are interested in renting our facility, please discuss and arrange in advance with our staff for a raptor showing.

Why do we have Raptors?

All birds are on display under an educational permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Each bird has a disability that prohibits it from being released into the wild (see stories by each photo). We think of these birds as winged ambassadors for their species and feel that each of their stories can help people learn how to better conserve raptors. Seeing such amazing creatures, up close and personal, is a valubale learning opportunity that leaves quite an impression!

Turkey Vulture (male)

The Turkey Vulture was born in 1998 and arrived at Sierra Outdoor School in December 1998. If you look at his left wing you will see he cannot fully extend it. When he was young he was hit by a car and broke his wing. He weighs about 3.5 pounds and his diet consists of dead animals which he can find by following the smell. He will eat just about any meat but prefers freshly killed herbivores. Turkey Vultures are found in North and South America and can be seen gliding through the air or roosting in trees in groups up to 100 birds. They can live up to 21 years in the wild. After 2 to 3 years, they are mature and find a mate.

Great Horned Owl (female)

The female great horned owl arrived at Sierra Outdoor School in March 2013. She was found in Stanislaus County in September 2012 with a gunshot wound and dropped off at the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center. The gunshot injured her stomach and eye, causing complete blindness in her left eye. She weighs about 3.5 pounds and feeds mostly on mammals but will also eat reptiles, birds and sometimes animals as big as porcupines and skunks. Great horned owls live in North, Central and South America. They can live up to 13 years in the wild. After 2 years, they are mature and will find a mate.

Great Horned Owl (male)

The male Great Horned Owl was born in 2003 and arrived at Sierra Outdoor School in February 2008. When he was young someone found him on the ground and took him in thinking he was injured. He was raised in captivity so he lacks skills needed to be released into the wild. He weighs less than 2 pounds and likes to feed mostly on mammals but will also eat reptiles, birds and sometimes animals as big as porcupines and skunks. Great Horned Owls live in North and South America. They can live up to 13 years in the wild. After 2 years, they are mature and will find a mate.

Red-tailed Hawk (female)

Born in 2020, the RTH was found as a young chick along with her 2 siblings in an abandoned nest in the Davis, CA area. She was rescued by the CA Raptor Center where she was raised until old enough to fly and hunt on her own. Upon release into the wild, it became quickly apparent that she had imprinted on humans and depended on them for her food. Since she was not able to hunt on her own, she would not be able to survive in the wild. She was relocated to SOS in the spring of 2021 where she now works as one of our education ambassador animal.