Injured raptors are among the most common subjects of wildlife rehabilitation, with outcomes shaped by cause of injury, species, and facility expertise.
The welfare of raptors in rehabilitation involves careful management of fear and stress responses in animals that are typically very sensitive to human contact. Facilities that minimize handling, provide species-appropriate housing, and run prey recognition programs before release achieve better welfare outcomes throughout the process and higher post-release survival. Birds that cannot be released due to permanent injury or imprinting face long-term welfare questions about quality of life in captivity and require honest assessment rather than indefinite maintenance.