Rocky Mountain Raptor Program-RMRP

There’s still time to join us for our virtual Birds of Prey Classes! 🦅

Have a hoot learning about owls in this Saturday’s courses, join us next Saturday for Falcons, Accipiters, and more – or join us for all 4 remaining modules! Registration closes at 10 pm the night before the classes, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to learn about raptors from the comfort of your own home.

Register today at https://onecau.se/_gx2xu1. No prior experience or education needed!

🦉 Owls (Part 1) | June 13, 10am – 1 pm
🦉 Owls (Part 2) | June 13, 2 – 5 pm
🪶 Falcons | June 20, 10 am – 1 pm
🪶 Accipiters, Harriers, & Kites | June 20, 2 – 5 pm

Camouflage helps many raptors survive and thrive in the wild. The mottled browns, grays, and whites found in their feathers allow them to blend into tree bark, grasslands, rocky cliffs, and forest floors. This natural disguise helps them stay hidden from potential threats and gives them an advantage when hunting prey.

Young raptors often rely on camouflage even more than adults, remaining motionless and blending into their surroundings while they wait for parents to return with food.

📸: Monica Morrison

Today is ! 🌾

Today, we're celebrating wide open landscapes of the West with some fun facts about Prairie Falcons (Falco mexicanus)! Did you know:

🪶 These falcons live in the open, treeless spaces of western North America.
🪶 They hunt ground squirrels, small mammals, and birds.
🪶 Prairie Falcons love to cruise close to the ground rather than soaring high.
🪶 A white line over the eye, pale cheeks, and a narrow malar stripe can help identify adults.
🪶 Their muted cream and brown plumage helps them blend in perfectly to their nesting sites on cliffs and steep bluffs.


📸: Craig Meurer; Dan O'Donnell; Dawn Wilson; Eden Ravecca; Paul Ealker; Rick Harness; Lisa Williams

Today is World Environment Day! 🏔️ Did you know that raptors live in almost every environment on Earth, and serve as Indicator Species?

An indicator species is a species whose health and population vigor reflects the overall condition of their ecosystem. When these animals begin to decline, it can serve as an early warning sign that something in the environment is wrong.

One powerful example involves Swainson's Hawks in Argentina in the 1990s. Thousands of migrating hawks were found dead after exposure to the pesticide Monocrotophos, a highly toxic insecticide used in agriculture. Their sudden decline alerted scientists and conservationists to a major environmental contamination issue affecting far more than just raptors, contributing to increased scrutiny and restrictions surrounding the pesticide’s use.

Indicator species remind us that wildlife often reveals environmental problems long before humans notice them ourselves. This , we hope you'll take time to relax outdoors and search the skies for one of the many raptor species that call Colorado home.


📸: Cooper's Hawk by Rae Ann Garrett; Bald Eagle by Gary Hattis; Red-shouldered Hawk by Craig Meurer; Ferruginous Hawk by Monica Morrison; Golden Eagle by Josephine Treacy; Osprey by Jordan Theresa; Peregrine Falcon by Rick Harness; Ferruginous Hawk by William McIntyre; Western Screech Owl by Theresa Jordan; Turkey Vulture by Rick Harness

Raptor species have between 3,000 and 8,000 individual feathers on their bodies and those feathers are incredible tools built for survival. From the silent flight feathers of owls to the sleek, aerodynamic wings of hawks and falcons, every feather serves a purpose. Feathers provide insulation, waterproofing, camouflage, and the lift needed for flight. Raptors spend hours preening each day to keep their feathers aligned and in top condition because even a small damaged feather can affect their ability to hunt and fly.