Our Ambassadors: Who They Are and Where They Come From
At Winged Ambassadors, we firmly believe that all wild animals, including Birds of Prey, should remain in their natural habitat, but in reality, there are often situations that make this an impossibility. While there are various different scenarios that can lead to a bird being permanently removed from the wild, the purpose of so doing is always the same: given certain circumstances, the birds facing them would not be capable of surviving release from captivity.
Winged Ambassadors has become a safe-haven for many such birds, and though these birds that would be unable to survive living in their natural habitats they fit in perfectly with our team of "ambassadors". Some have come to join us after suffering an injury that can never be fully overcome, some have been confiscated by and placed with our organization through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources after being found in the illegal possession of an unauthorized person who, through lack of knowledge and experience in the care of these animals, taught them unnatural behaviors that would undoubtedly leave them vulnerable in the wild, and still others were the result of captive breeding programs aiming to assist in the restoration of the population in some species in need of some extra help.
Regardless of where they come from and what circumstances they face that make them candidates for becoming part of Winged Ambassadors, they share in one common mission: to promote protection and respect for the others like them that are still living in the wild.
With great pleasure, we introduce to you the pride of our organization: our "Winged Ambassadors".
Meet Boo
"Boo", a Great Horned Owl, came to us as a recently-hatched bird that someone had taken from the nest prior to the time he would have normally entered a crucial stage of development of behaviors and techniques needed for his survival after the time had come for him to leave the care of his mother. Since "Boo" never had the chance to learn as a baby how a Great Horned Owl would act and what techniques a Great Horned Owl would rely on for living successfully in the wild, he forever lost his chance to do so. As a result, "Boo" progressed through what would have otherwise been the time in his life he spent learning and cultivating the appropriate behaviors for his species from watching his parents instead learning unnatural behaviors through his interaction with people who could not effectively provide training on the techniques a Great Horned Owl would need to survive in the wild. Because he never learned the correct behaviors and instead learned to behave in other, unnatural ways, "Boo" could never survive life outside of captivity. But his misfortunate circumstances brought him to our program, and through his participation, he brings a unique message to audiences attending one of our programs. He is a perfect example of the great importance of people allowing what is born wild to remain in the wild and experience the things that only can happen in that setting.
Meet Helaman
Helaman, like Boo, was taken from an individual who should not have had him. He is an imprint as well. He was brought across the border from Mexico and was intercepted at the border patrol. Sadly, due to someone's carelessness, he will never be what he was born to be. He does not know how a Red-Tailed Hawk is suppose to behave because he never had the opportunity to learn from his mother.
Meet Nadia
Nadia, an eastern screech owl, came to us because she was hit by a car. She can not see out of one of her eyes which would be a death sentance if she were to remain in the wild.
Meet Lobo
Lobo is a Harris Hawk that was bred for the purpose of education. He can never be released because he was not created by nature, but by man. He is a real crowd pleaser when he demonstrates one of his instinctual behaviors.
Meet Macky
Macky is a red shouldered hawk who became imprinted while he was in captivity healing from a broken leg. He can never go back to the wild, but hopefully he will be able to save another bird from the same fate.
Meet Chehaw
Chehaw is the star of our show. When he races by the crowd at speeds of over 150 mph you can feel the majesty of this bird. Chehaw is a hybrid falcon. He is a cross between a gyr falcon and a saker falcon. He was also bred in captivity for this purpose.
Meet Frightful
Meet Czar
Meet Quasi
Meet Banshee
Meet Kooki and Burra
