Head O’ Meadow Students Learn About Birds of Prey

By Eliza Hallabeck

A white barn owl sat looking down on Head O’ Meadow students in the school’s cafetorium on Thursday, April 29, as they entered for the PTA-sponsored presentation of Jonathan Wood’s Raptor Project.

The owl, which returned to his cage after swooping over the heads of students, was one of many birds of prey the students were introduced to during his talk.

“You will learn a lot about these birds and wildlife today,” said Mr Wood, who was assisted during the presentation by his daughter, Rachel.

Mr Wood’s wife, Susan, also sold books and more during the appearance.

The family, with their dog, according to Mr Wood, live in an RV with the birds who he introduced to the students.

“These birds are very special,” he said. “Most of the birds in my program are handicapped birds.”

When Mr Woods comes across injured birds, he said, the Raptor Project helps them by giving them a “job.”

Most of the birds have an injury that would not allow them to survive in the wild.

Uncle Sam, “a beautiful American Bald Eagle, made right here in the USA,” was hit by a car before entering into the Raptor Project.

Mr Wood told the students he grew up in Long Island, N.Y., and became fascinated with training falcons after reading My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George in sixth grade.

Now the Raptor Project features the largest traveling collection of birds of prey in the world, with raptors from every habitat on the planet, according to the project’s website.

Later, after becoming friends, Jean Craighead George also wrote On the Far Side of the Mountain, which is based on Mr Wood.

Mr Wood has also been featured on the Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and in the National Geographic Explorer.

“Most birds are named by what they look like,” he told the students, while helping them to “become ornithologists,” “and some birds are named by what they do. Some birds are also named by where they live.”

For more information on Mr Wood and the Raptor Project go to www.raptorproject.com.