Iowa Raptor Project’s mission is to connect students and the people of the state of Iowa to the conservation of birds of prey and their natural habitats through transformative educational experiences and collaborative research projects. IRP is a program of the University of Iowa College of Education's UI WILD program with support from Kirkwood Community College.
Support the Raptor Project
Your donation will help us care for our raptors and support our goal to inspire awareness, appreciation, and action on behalf of Iowa’s birds of prey.
Meet Our Birds
The Iowa Raptor Project is currently home to 13 raptors, including Spirit, a Bald Eagle; Fenn, an American Barn Owl; and Tigerhawk, a Peregrine Falcon.
Learn more about all of our raptor ambassadors and their species:
Spirit
Fenn
Tigerhawk
Visit Us
All are welcome to visit our raptors! We are open for self-guided tours during regular hours of operation.
The Raptor Center is a place of serenity, so we ask that our voices be kept low in respect for other guests and the birds.
Dogs and other animals are not permitted at the Iowa Raptor Project.
Hours of Operation
April - September
6am - 9pm, daily
October - March
9am - 4pm, daily
Directions
The Iowa Raptor Project is located within the Macbride Nature Recreation Area.
3673 Raptor Ridge Road NE
Solon, Iowa 52333
Considerations when planning your visit
Things to Remember
The Raptor Center is an outdoor facility. Please dress accordingly for the weather.
Please note that many of our paths are gravel, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
There is a portable restroom located at the Raptor Center.
We recommended that you bring your own water bottle. Water is available from a hand pump during warmer months.
Educational Programs & Events
Traveling Programs
Invite the Iowa Raptor Project to visit your school or organization and provide a live raptor presentation for your next special event!
Private Tours
Join us for a guided tour, including an up-close experience with one of our raptors!
Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, we will be hosting various community events. Follow us on social media (Facebook or Instagram) to get the latest updates on events.
Research
The Iowa Raptor Project partners with numerous education and conservation entities to support research connected to raptor migration, population trends, and habitat.
Current Research Initiatives
1. Fall Hawk Migration Counts
Through long-term counting of migrating diurnal raptors we can learn about population trends, migration phenology changes, and other migratory needs of raptors that utilize the Iowa River valley.
Click here to see the data set for the Macbride Nature Recreation Area count provided by the Hawk Migration Association’s HawkCount.
2. Fall Hawk and Owl Migration Banding
During the fall we trap and band migrating diurnal raptors (primarily hawks) and nocturnal raptors (primarily Northern Saw-whet Owls). Data from band returns help us better understand raptor movement along the Iowa River valley, as well as about their longevity and regional movements.
The IRP is part of the continent-wide Project Owlnet to learn more about Northern Saw-whet Owl migration and populations. Click here for more information on Project Owlnet.
3. Winter Raptor Surveys
Surveying of wintering raptors along the Iowa River, as well as a route through rural western Johnson County help us learn about habitat needs for wintering birds of prey and can also demonstrate population trends over time.
Click here to see the data for our three routes (Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, Coralville Dam to near Riverside, and West Johnson County) from the Winter Raptor Survey.
4. American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring
Working with the Iowa DNR, we are establishing American Kestrel Nest boxes throughout the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area and monitoring the nests for success and productivity. Kestrel populations are declining in regions and this will help us learn more of their needs in our area.
Click here to view data reported by Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology NestWatch.
Ways to Help
Iowa Raptor Project depends upon generous donors to help us care for our raptors and support our goal to inspire awareness, appreciation, and action on behalf of Iowa’s birds of prey.
Dedicated volunteers are at the heart and soul of IRP. Volunteers are crucial to the care of our raptors and help support our educational mission. We are not currently accepting new applications for volunteers.
Help an Injured Bird
What to do if you find an injured bird
We are not licensed rehabilitators and cannot accept injured wildlife. If you find an injured raptor or other wildlife in need of assistance, please contact the licensed wildlife rehabilitator nearest you:
If you find a fledgling bird on the ground, first back away and look around for signs that the parents are nearby. Owlets often jump from their nests before they can fly and will be taken care of by their parents if humans do not interfere.
News
In the news: Tracking Hawks with IRP
Band of Birders: Tracking Hawks with the Iowa Raptor Project. Staff from Iowa Magazine ride along with Iowa Raptor Project experts on a raptor survey in rural Johnson County.
IRP staff, community mourn the loss of beloved raptor
Juniper, a Northern Saw-whet Owl and one of the Iowa Raptor Project's most popular birds, passed away on May 20.
In the news: Iowa Raptor Project featured on GMA
The Iowa Raptor Project was featured Jan. 30 on Good Morning America as part of the show’s “50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful” series.
Ibsen soars in new role with Iowa Raptor Project
Meet Katie Ibsen, the new assistant director of UI WILD's Iowa Raptor Project. The Iowa Raptor Project works to conserve Iowa’s birds of prey through research and educational programming.
About Us
About us
History
The Iowa Raptor Project began in 1985 under University of Iowa Recreational Services. It was originally focused on raptor rehabilitation and education, and our first enclosures for non-releasable raptors were built at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Kirkwood Community College soon joined as a partner primarily in the rehabilitation effort.
In 2015, Kirkwood continued its support of the IRP’s educational programming but could no longer support the rehabilitation efforts. The IRP then realigned with the university’s primary mission as a research and education institution.
In 2021, the IRP, along with the two programs that were built on it (Iowa Wildlife Camps and School of the Wild - all forming the UI WILD Department), moved to the College of Education as our shared conservation education work aligns closely with its mission.
Kirkwood continues as a vital partner with the University of Iowa and UI WILD through their Parks and Natural Resources and Animal Health Technology programs, serving a shared commitment to the conservation of birds of prey through research and education.