Raptors - hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls - are frequently admitted to wildlife rehabilitation facilities after vehicle collision, poisoning, and window strike. Understanding welfare in rehabilitation guides better outcomes.
Raptor rehabilitation welfare involves managing the profound conflict between what animals need (minimal human contact to remain wild) and what treatment requires (close handling, medical procedures, confinement). The stress of capture, transport, and clinical examination is acute and significant for wild birds - raptors can die from acute stress during handling. Minimizing handling time, providing appropriate cover and perch options in hospital housing, and using restraint techniques that minimize struggling reduce acute welfare costs. Long-term rehabilitation housing must balance space needs with flight capability development before release. Non-releasable birds living in education roles require ongoing enrichment and appropriate social and physical environments.