HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Strange noises can be heard in the wooded outskirts of Huntersville, where the Carolina Raptor Center rehabilitates birds and educates humans.
The Carolina Raptor Center is currently home to about 75 feathered friends and is one of the country's most respected bird rehabilitation facilities. Visitors to the center can participate in a variety of educational programing, view the birds and see how their wingspan stacks up against some of the biggest raptors.
Kate Shaner, the center's education manager, said raptors are birds of prey that usually have sharp talons, a hooked beak and great eyesight.
Owls, vultures and hawks are just some of the raptors guests can see while walking around the center's path.
It all started at UNC Charlotte in 1975, when ornithologist Richard Brown took an injured hawk under his wing. By 2022, the center's bird hospital had admitted 25,000 patients.
Exploring the Carolina Raptor Center
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts from the Wake Up Charlotte team, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
Senior trainer McKenna Schaffer said one of her favorite residents is a laughing kookaburra named Bindi.
Though the species is found in Australia, Bindi was born in a zoo. All of the non-native species at the center came from other zoos to educate Charlotte-area visitors.
The whole flock will soon move to a new facility down the road.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte’s Wake Up Charlotte has the latest news and weather from the WCNC Charlotte morning team. Watch all the latest stories from the Wake Up Charlotte morning team in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.