A Brief Introduction
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting my website, I’m so glad you’re here! I wanted to introduce myself a bit so you can get to know what we’re all about. My name is Claire, and I’ve been passionate about birds and birds of prey (also known as raptors) since I was very young. In fact, I still have a crayon picture of a bald eagle I drew when I was in second grade. I was one of those kids who was whole heartedly obsessed with one topic, learning everything I could about it, and I just never grew out of it.
I first started volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center in 1998 at the age of 13! There, I learned how to handle and train birds of prey for educational programs. Since then, I’ve volunteered at many facilities, and currently work at Chintimini Wildlife Center here in Corvallis. But I also have my own birds as well! I became a falconer in 2013 and am currently a master class falconer. Several years ago, I was gifted my first non-native bird, a Eurasian Eagle Owl named Willa. She wasn’t a good fit at her original facility, and their lead trainer at the time knew I had extensive experience with large birds. We’ve formed a very close bond and she’s so very happy here with me. My second non-native bird that I acquired is named Pita, he’s a saker falcon, which is one of only two falcon species that is considered endangered on the IUCN red-list. (The other is the Mauritius kestrel). Pita has been a joy to work with and get to know. Every bird has their own personality, and I have never met a bird so cheerful and so goofy as this one. Pita loves everyone, and enjoys interacting with the public! Willa is more of a homebody, but Pita loves to be out and about. He also really loves to paint!
I am currently getting my master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh in Conservation Medicine. Wildlife, birds of prey, and conservation have always been very close to my heart. Thinking about how a species as wonderful at Pita’s is decreasing rapidly in the wild is saddening, and I want to save them, and inspire others to do so as well.
I also love to travel, and let’s be honest, most of my travels are centered around the feathered souls I love so much – birds. I will expand on these travels in future blog posts and with my photos.
Thank you again for visiting!
