They are cared for by volunteers and students of KCC's Parks and Natural Resources program. This cage is designed to provide conditioning and reclamation for raptor patients prior to their release. It is the largest and most effective facility of its kind in Iowa. The Macbride Nature and Recreation Area also serves as a home to several species of permanently disabled eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. They are housed outdoors near the Nature Center, and the public is welcome to visit year round.
Raptors are majestic, wild, beautiful and mysterious creatures.
They appear in our myths, legends, and art as powerful symbols of natural forces. The graceful soaring of an eagle, the swift descent of a falcon, and the moonlit silhouette of an owl thrills us. Even more significant, however, is the importance of raptors to the well being of the natural ecosystem. As predators, they perform the essential role of helping to keep prey populations in balance with food supply. On agricultural lands, a hawk or owl is a valuable ally, saving the farmer hundreds of dollars each year in crop damage caused by rodents.