All I want for Christmas is a Name

In February 2024, a couple vacationing in the Black Hills saw a tiny owl on the shoulder of the highway near the Keystone Y. They rescued a saw-whet owl! It came to the BHRC. Radiographs revealed a broken bone and dislocated shoulder.

The 88 gram owl was not releasable because of the shoulder. It has returned to us to be an avian ambassador. The bird many be tiny physically, but he has a HUGE personality, worthy of a HUGE name.

The volunteers submitted their ideas, and the board selected the best of them. We now share them with you, so this little fellow can have a name for Christmas.

Our naming contest is now open! Please vote by December 23.

Click Here To Vote for His Name!

Our mission is to conserve and protect native birds of prey and their natural habitats through education, rehabilitation, and research.

Watch an educational program with

Black Hills Raptor Center.

About Black Hills Raptor Center

Who We Are:

The Black Hills Raptor Center is an all volunteer group, managed by an 8 person board of directors. We are a not-for-profit organization with a 501 (c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service…

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Mission Statement:

The mission of the Black Hills Raptor Center is to conserve and protect native birds of prey and their natural habitats through education, rehabilitation, and research.

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What We Do:

The Black Hills Raptor Center provides 125-150 educational programs annually using live raptors. We present in classrooms, at youth programs, in the community, and for special events…

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We Have the Power to Impact Our Future,
and We’re Doing Something About It

Building a Dream

The idea of developing BHRC (Black Hills Raptor Center) began on September 2010. That is when John Halverson and Maggie Engler set about the task of reducing “nature deficit disorder” in their corner of the world…

Help Us Help The Raptors

Black Hills Raptor Center relies on contributions from donors to continue our work. Be part of the solution to nature deficit disorder in this region. Donate today!

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Shop The Black Hills Raptor Center Store

BHRC Stickers

Brand new stickers custom designed by one of our volunteers are now on sale for $3 a sticker. These stickers are high quality vinyl stickers that can be placed just about anywhere. They are waterproof and resistant to sunlight fading.

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Black Hills Raptor Mouse Pads Elise

Choose your favorite raptor mouse pads from the birds cared for by the Raptor Center. Order this mouse pad with Elise the Red-tailed hawk on it! Size is a nice large 8” x 9”. This size gives you lots of room to move your mouse around.

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Kestrel / Screech Owl Nest Box

YES! I want a kestrel/screech owl nest box for my property!

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BHRC Coffee Mugs

Drink your morning joe with the birds! These 4 individuals were the original stars of the Black Hills Raptor Center. John calls them the “Founding Four Feathers”. They are Elise the red-tailed hawk, Icarus the great horned owl, Boo the western screech owl, and Hendrix the American kestrel.

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