Our Residents
Wings Rescue Center's goal is to rehab and release all our rescues. However, there are times when a special bird may not be able to return to the wild. Faced with 2 choices to either euthanize or keep, we chose to offer these amazing birds a home.
Meet some of our residents.
ROCKY
Rocky is our Resident Red Shouldered Hawk
June 23rd, 2021 started out as a typical day at Wings Rescue Center. Volunteers were busy caring for rescued birds, feeding them, cleaning their cages and treating their illnesss and injuries. But that all changed when a call came in to rescue a fledgling hawk near Victoria.
Amateur photographers seeking the perfect shot caused the little Red-Shouldered Hawk to fall from its nest. Having a serious eye injury, the baby bird was brought to Wing’s for treatment. After two weeks at Wings, “Champion”, as he was called then, was transferred to another facility for long-term care and rehabilitation. Wing’s volunteers hoped that they would witness his release someday, as they had with so many other young birds in their care.
But, after several months of rehabilitation and testing, a veterinarian concluded that Champion was blind in one eye, he could not safely fly or capture its prey for food and thus, could never be released. Unless a permanent home could be found, he would have to be euthanized. That is when Wings received the second rescue call and the juvenile hawk had found a forever home.
On October 23rd Wings volunteers, Greg Simmons, a falconer and his wife Sally brought the hawk in. Sally asked whether the Center had given him a name while in their care. Kay Adams, Wings founder and President, said his name was “Champion”. Sally responded, “you know ‘Rocky’ was a Champion”. The name stuck.
Rocky’s new life started that afternoon. Greg placed the “anklets” (permanent leather straps) on its legs and attached “jesses” (short cords) attached to a leash. Wings volunteers, then began the first day of many with hours upon hours of gentle one-on-one interaction to gain Rocky's confidence in preparation for his training to be Wings' first Education/Ambassador Bird.
CHARLENE
Charlene is our resident Great Horned Owl
Charlene was found by the side of a road in Jackson County. Because of the location we believe she had been hit by a car. She was brought to Wings Rescue Center in September 2021 and was then transferred to another rehab facility for continuing care. That facility kept her several months and deemed that she could not be released because of a wing injury. The options were to find her a new home or to euthanize her. The facility contacted Wings Rescue Center to see if we wanted her back. Well, no brainer! The other facility had named her Charles, thinking that she was a male. We decided that she was a female and renamed her Charlene.
Charlene has been a resident at Wings Rescue Center since May 2022. She started her training to be an ambassador/education bird in November 2022.
Charlene is also known as “Queen Charlene” and “her highness.” Whatever she is called, she has a lot of “owl-itude.”
APOLLO
Apollo is our Resident Crested Caracara
Apollo came to us in March of 2022 as an adult bird with a damaged right wing and right eye. It was suspected that he might have had a collision with a vehicle.
Because of his injuries it was determined that he could not be release back into the wild. So, we chose to keep this wonderful bird as an education/ambassador bird.
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In November of 2022, We started working with him to get up on a glove
and hold so we could talk about how amazing he is in front of groups coming to our facility to learn about what we do at Wings Rescue Center. He was considered the “lion” of our resident birds because we know that they can be aggressive acquiring food. We had to take it slow to gain his trust and had to reach out to other rehabbers to get tips on how to work with him. He has taught us a lot and has become the “Rockstar” with our Residents and Winter Texans, many of which have never seen a Caracara.
Apollo is true to his species by being very inquisitive, smart and behaves like a vulture. He is considered a tropical black and white falcon with an orange and blue colored face with yellow legs.
He is of the family Falconidae. They are in the Genus: Caracara.
BELLA
Miss Bella is our Resident Barred Owl
Miss Bella came to us Christmas Eve December 2023 with a head injury and double eye infections.
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After months of rehabilitation it was determined by our local Veterinarian that she is totally blind in her right eye and believed that her left has approximately -20% vision (We are guessing at the percentage). We believe she basically sees shadows and lighting (sun, bright lights) but no response to hand movement in front of the eye. She was then determined to be un-releasable.
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All of us are so happy her permit as an education & ambassador bird was been approved on June 31,2024!! She began her training to become an ambassador bird in April of 2024.
Bella is a beautiful, calm Raptor full of life. She has made a wonderful addition to our "flock"
Everyone that meets Bella is amazed by her gentle disposition. She is a perfect education bird.
We'd like to introduce the newest member to our "flock"
Meet Miss ARTEMIS
She is named after the goddess of Hunting
On June 18, 2024 we were preparing for Tropical Storm Alberto, we received a call from our emergency dispatch. A hawk was rescued in a park in Aransas Pass. A gentleman was bringing it to us.
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The hawk turned out to be a magnificent White Tail Hawk. Her right wing had been amputated at the radiale & ulnare. It is believed that she became entwined in a wire of a boat mast due to the proximity of boats and high winds.
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The nub was already becoming infected. We rushed her to our local Veterinarian. She was placed on antibiotics and we were informed she would not be releasable. Without her metacarpus she didn't have her primary feathers. Primaries are necessary for controlling a birds flight thrust and aids in lift.
One of our handlers knew immediately this bird was special. Artemis's eyes said it all. She is highly intelligent and knew we were there to help her. Our handler began building a bond with Artemis the day we received her. She began saying body parts such as "give wing" each time we performed laser therapy (laser therapy was used to aid Artemis in healing). Artemis was not happy about being in a cage. She would jump repeatedly hitting her head on the top every time someone walked by. The handler put her hand up and simply said stop. It worked, she stopped.
Knowing that whether we were able to keep her or if we had to place her she'd need glove training, so we began training within a short time period. Our founder submitted the necessary permit paperwork and surprised her handler with the approved federal permit on September 26,2024.
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Welcome to your new home Artemis!!
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We are still getting to know Artemis. She is a fabulous raptor that is adjusting very well and so quickly. Her handler works with her daily to help her with balance issues. Her mew is set up so she can hop to her perches.
We are amazed by her and what a wonderful raptor she is everyday.
