HAMLET
.her given name

Great Horned Owl
. common name

Bubo Virginianus
. scientific name

Hamlet's Background

Hamlet has been a permanent resident with us since February 1991 because of a severe wing disability. Her injury is probably the result of a collision with electrical wires alongside a highway or a collision with a car. After she was found, a veterinarian saved her by removing part of her infected wing. Without her entire wing, Hamlet is unable to fly skillfully enough to catch her own food in the wild.

GILBOA
. given name

Barred Owl
. common name

Strix Varia
. scientific name

Gilboa's Background

Gilboa came to Frost Valley in December 1999 after being hit by a truck. The bones in Gilboa's left wing were shattered and have not fused back together properly. Car collisions are the number one cause of raptor injuries and deaths. These occurrences can be instigated by people throwing out candy wrappers, apple cores, and other litter by the roadside. The litter then attracts mice, rats, small birds, and other animals that raptors prey upon. When the birds swoop down to attack the prey, they are hit by passing cars.

ISABO
. her given name

Red-Tailed Hawk
. common name

Buteo Jamaicensis
. scientific name

Isabo's Background

Isabo has been with Frost Valley 's Raptor Center since 1989 because of a partial wing amputation. The injury she incurred was probably from flying into electrical wires or a car. As a result of this serious accident, part of Isabo's left wing was removed in order to save her life. Without her entire wing, she is unable to soar and fly skillfully enough to hunt for her own food in the wild. Isabo's picture shows her wing expansion and, as you can see, the left wing is only partially extended because of her amputation. In the lower left hand corner of the picture, you can also see Isabo's diet for the day: rat!