CBEC is home to four species of raptors that have experienced injuries or trauma, leaving them unable to fend for themselves in the wild. They are housed in mews and can be viewed from 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week. Stop by the Visitor Center for directions to the mews.
Birds currently housed at CBEC include barred owls, a great horned owl, a red-tail hawk, and American kestrels. They are used to teach raptor identification and behavior, habitat preservation, and ecological roles.
CBEC works with local veterinarians to provide high-quality care for all its raptors, even those not suited to be part of education programs due to age or injuries.
CBEC adheres to requirements for care and housing specifications laid out in the state and federal permits.
CBEC Is Not a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife rehabilitation is an activity regulated by Maryland law. CBEC Is not a wildlife rehabilitator. If you encounter a bird or animal that appears to be sick or injured, find a Maryland-licensed wildlife rehabilitator here or call the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Services toll-free at 1-877-463-6497.
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large, powerful raptor found throughout the Americas, known for its distinctive ear tufts and deep hooting call. It’s a highly adaptable predator that hunts a wide range of prey, from small mammals to birds, often active at dusk and during the night.
Barred Owls
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a large, round-headed owl native to North America, known for its distinctive hooting call that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” It has mottled brown and white plumage with dark eyes, and it typically inhabits dense forests, often near water.
Red Tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America, easily recognized by its broad, rounded wings and distinctive reddish-brown tail. These raptors thrive in diverse habitats, from deserts and grasslands to forests and urban areas, and are known for their piercing, raspy scream often used in movies to represent all raptors.
American Kestrels
The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most colorful falcon, often seen perched on wires or hovering while hunting. They feed mainly on insects, small mammals, and birds, and are found across a wide range of habitats including grasslands, deserts, and urban areas. Despite their adaptability, their populations are declining in some regions due to habitat loss.
