Founded in 1979 in Maitland, FL, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned birds of prey (raptors), releasing more than 40% of these former patients back into the wild. The Center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and kites east of the Mississippi River--averaging more than 650 admissions, or injured or orphaned birds of prey, each year—and is a leader among all North American rehabilitation centers for specialized eagle care.
The Center also provides environmental education programming to over 20,000 local students, teachers, and visitors annually, while promoting a culture of conservation towards birds of prey and their habitats. A nationally renowned research institute, the Center is an influential voice in the ongoing fight to save endangered and threatened birds of prey.
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey History
On June 14, 1979, Audubon staff member Doris Mager (at right) climbed into an inactive Bald Eagle nest in Central Florida. She stayed there for six days and five nights, to raise awareness of the plight of the Bald Eagle and to raise funds to build the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. The Center opened on October 19, 1979 in Maitland, thanks to a generous donation from the Baldwin Family in loving memory of Madalyn Baldwin. Sixty-six sick, injured and baby raptors were admitted for care in 1979. Today, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey treats nearly 700 raptors of 21 species annually, with the support of our dedicated volunteers.
