Lately I’ve been traveling quite a bit in the Northwest for travel writing assignments and my most recent journey took me to Boise, Idaho.
Boise is home to the World Center for Birds of Prey, a place like no other I’ve experienced and unique in the world. Birds of prey portray grace and confidence to the extent that it reminds us all that nature is in charge. Daily tours and live bird presentations here provide visitors an up close and unforgettable encounter with birds of prey. The facility showcases a California Condor exhibit, an interpretive trail with a stunning panoramic view of Boise, interactive exhibits (lots for children) and outdoor flight shows in the fall.
The Peregrine Fund, headquartered here, is a non-profit dedicated to saving birds of prey from extinction. Throughout the world these birds are threatened by shooting, poisoning and loss of habitat. A 30-year effort successfully removed the Peregrine Falcons from the endangered list. Now they are trying to help other birds of prey.
Endangered birds are raised here and released to their natural habitats.
The Falconry Archives, in a separate building, honors falcons through art. Of special note is the Arab Wing, paid for by the United Arab Emirates. Since the 1200’s Arabs have hunted with falcons. An exhibit highlights bird hoods so ornate you wonder how many hours of work it took to make them. My guide likened them to fishing flies.
The Center is very accessible and all on one level. Plan to bring a lunch and use one of the courtyard picnic tables. You’ll not find a better view.
I highly recommend this as a must see on your bucket list. I didn’t know about it until I visited Boise, but I’m sure glad that I did.
Sounds like an amazing place. I read Falconer on the Edge by Rachel Dickinson last year and loved it.
Sounds like a very unusual place and special find!
What a cool place! We have a local group who specializes in saving birds of prey, but not a cool center like this one.
This does sound like a wonderful place for a visit. Those birds are mesmerizing to watch…as they are watching life right back at us.
Oh, I would love to visit this place! Sounds wonderful. We have red tail hawk, turkey vultures and eagles all here in Arkansas. It’s very important to try and protect them.
This looks like a really great place to take kids!
I’ve seen a similar birds of prey center in Sitka, Alaska. It’s about time that I explored my neighboring state of Idaho. I’m putting Boise’s World Center for Birds of Prey on my to do list.
This sounds like an incredible place — and I love the photo of the owl. I’m putting it on my to-go-to list.
this sounds like a fine place to visit, and doing great work, too. some years ago I had the chance to visit the center that’s part of Dollywood in Tennessee where scientists are working with eagles. fasicnating.
I never knew about this place and I’ve been to Boise. It sounds like my kind of place. I’d like to check it out next time I’m in Boise.
There’s something about owls that I just find intriguing. This sounds like a great place to take kids.