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Arizona's Raptor Experience

Where our focus is your experience.

“But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.”
~Rachel Carson

Ellis (Golden Eagle)

Golden Eagle

Ellis, Golden Eagle (Photo by Paul Schnell)

Ellis is an adult male Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) named after renowned Golden Eagle researcher, Dr. David Ellis. As the most widely distributed species of eagle, these birds are found across most of the northern hemisphere in open and semi-open country. They can be found in mountain ranges as high as 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) and nest in trees and on cliffs.

Golden Eagles have great maneuverability for their size (2-meter (6-7.5 foot) wing-span) and can reach speeds close to 240 kph (150 mph) in a dive after prey. Hunting cooperatively with their mate, these birds take a large variety of prey but focus mainly on mammals like the cottontail and black-tailed jack rabbit. Their hunting skills are revered by eagle falconers around the world, and in particular Central Asia where many tribes (but especially Kirgiz and Kazakh eagle hunters) still fly them today to capture foxes and other prey.

Although protected since 1962 by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act which prohibits harming the birds, their eggs and nests, humans still pose the greatest of all threats to Golden Eagles. Most recorded deaths are attributed to collisions with wind turbines, electrocution, lead poisoning, and loss of habitat. Ellis came to us from an AZ rehabilitation facility after a permanent injury sustained in a collision with a car

(Photo by Paul Schnell)

Kazakh Eagle Hunters & Huntress

Aishopan the heroine of the documentary ‘The Eagle Huntress'. Click to view an exclusive peak into the lives of the Kazahh Eagle Hunters & Huntress.
Kazakh Eagle Hunter in Olgii Mongolia at the Blue Wolf Golden Eagle Festival.

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Read about 9 year old Brendan's memorable Owl encounter at Arizona's Raptor Experience

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Owl with Flag
Baby Goliath on a Harley
Andromeda at 3 Weeks Old
“We must go and see for ourselves.” Jacques Cousteau
Peregrine Falcon
Lyra and Luna
Birthday Party Made Special with Live Birds!
Paul, Sharps Rifle, and 1800 Pound Bison Bull
Just how big is a bald eagle's nest?
Anne with a Peregrine Falcon
Copyright © 2021 || All raptor photos taken by Paul Schnell.