Raptor Free Flight March 20, 2011

Come experience the thrill of free flying birds of prey at the Raptor Free Flight. Raptor Free Flight is a dynamic bird of prey flight demonstration that occurs in the open desert showcasing natural behaviors of native birds. Unlike other bird flight shows, the Raptor Free Flight focuses the attention on the birds and how they behavior in nature. Each flight demonstration showcases different raptor species. Typically at the 10:00 a.m. demonstration visitors may have the opportunity to see and learn about Chihuahuan Ravens, Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls, Ferruginous Hawks, Gray Hawks, Prairie Falcons, or Greater Roadrunners. Each morning demonstration highlights 3-4 species therefore the individual species vary by day. The 2:00 p.m. demonstration displays our family group of Harris' Hawks. These social raptors commonly fly in family groups of three to seven birds in the wild. Come see the Harris' Hawks soar and hunt together. The family dynamics change throughout the season both in the wild and in the Desert Museum group. Watch as a larger female hawk asserts herself by supplanting or pushing smaller males off the tops of the saguaros. Raptor Free Flight demonstrations will occur, as bird and weather conditions allow, from October 24, 2010 through April 10, 2011, daily at 10:00 and 2:00. On most rainy or windy days, when the demonstrations cannot take place, birds can still be viewed on the glove at the Raptor Free Flight site.