The Golden Eagle was born in 1979 and arrived at Sierra Outdoor School in December 1995. Looking at her right wing, you notice a tuft of feathers where her wing was broken when hit by a truck. She was taken to the San Diego Zoo where they tried unsuccessfully to fix her wing so she could fly again. She weighs about 9 pounds and likes to feed on rabbits and rodents, but can also kill prey as large as coyotes, mountain sheep, and caribou. Golden Eagles are found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They prefer lightly forested areas with mountains where upwind drafts help them take off and soar. They can live up to 35 years in the wild. After 5 years, they are mature and find a mate.
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.
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.
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.