Rockford Park District
Atwood Environmental Center
Atwood's Birds of Prey program has quickly established itself as a premier interpretation program in Northern Illinois. Focusing on native species, the program has a powerful educational and environmental message for people of all ages.
Facts about birds of prey:
- Also referred to as raptors
- Hunt, kill and eat other animals and insects
- Common groups in this area are eagles, hawks, owls and falcons
- Beneficial to the environment, providing control of rodents and other species known as pests
- Natives to the United States are protected by both federal and state laws
- No one is allowed to possess a raptor as a pet
Atwood has both federal and state permits to care for a number of birds of prey. All of the birds of prey housed at Atwood Park have been deemed "non-releasable." This means that an expert has decided that, because of their injuries, these birds would not survive in the wild.
The birds at Atwood Park are housed in large individual pens just west of the Atwood Environmental Center. There is no charge to view the birds during park hours. Please come and visit our birds, and feel free to bring a camera.
In addition to public viewing of our birds at Atwood Park, the Birds of Prey staff are available to bring birds to your site for a program. There is a small charge for a formal educational presentation. If you are interested in scheduling a program or have any questions, call 815-874-7576.
The birds at Atwood Park are housed in large individual pens just west of the Atwood Environmental Center. There is no charge to view the birds during park hours. Please come and visit our birds, and feel free to bring a camera.
In addition to public viewing of our birds at Atwood Park, the Birds of Prey staff are available to bring birds to your site for a program. There is a small charge for a formal educational presentation. If you are interested in scheduling a program or have any questions, call 815-874-7576.