Meet the Birds of Middle Tennessee Raptor Center

"I am the eagle, I live in high country in rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky. I am the hawk and there's blood in my feathers, but time is still turning they soon will be dry. And all those who see me and all who believe in me, share in the freedom I feel when I fly."

The Eagle and The Hawk, by John Denver

Remington

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Remi is a male Barn Owl that was born in captivity to become a raptor education ambassador. He came to us in September of 2017 as an owlet and is our resident jokester. Remi enjoys screeching at night when you least expect it and always waits until he's in the car to cough up his pellets. Photo credit: Tony Alonso Photography

Ruby

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The fastest animal on the planet, Ruby is a female Peregrine Falcon that joined us in late 2019 all the way from Washington, where she finally retired from active hunting and breeding with another falconer after thirteen years. In a stoop, Peregrines can exceed 200mph! She is now living her best retirement life in Middle Tennessee.

Stark

Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Stark is a male captive-born Harris's Hawk from East Tennessee, coming to us in June of 2016. He is a powerful and adept hunting bird that hunts in a pack with fellow Harris's Hawks Liz and Cobra. These predators are more common to desert and dry areas of the southwestern United States and are not native to Tennessee.

Eight Forty

Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

840 is a female Red-Tailed Hawk from the Nashville area that was found along Interstate 840. She has a broken wing from a car strike that rendered her flightless. The break was already healed when she came to us, so she is now a permanent resident at MTRC. She has a sweet disposition and is a great education ambassador for her species.

Zip

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Zip is a four-year-old female American Kestrel, also sometimes called a Sparrow Hawk, that used to reside in Vermont. It was soon discovered that Zip is nearly blind in one eye because of a cataract. Kestrels are the smallest and most commonly found falcon in North America, but don't let her diminutive size fool you. What she lacks in size, she makes up for in attitude!

Reddington & Finley

Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)

Redd and Finn are red-phase and grey-phase Eastern Screech Owls, both female. After a storm in Franklin, Tennessee, these two, along with their brother, Huckleberry, were blown down out of their nest as tiny owlets with their eyes barely open. It wasn't long before these cute little puffballs grew up and became our resident education ambassadors. Huck went on to another raptor center to be their owl ambassador and these two stayed with us. They are tiny, but mighty!

Krampus

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Krampus came to us on Christmas Day of 2021 after being found on a roadside. Even though he had a grumpy attitude, he stole our hearts right away. He did not have any visible physical trauma, but we suspect a car strike is why he was sitting on the side of the road. We're still working with him to see if he can be released. If not, he'll become our newest resident education ambassador.

Hera

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

Hera came to us in 2021 from Auburn, Alabama where she was born in captivity as a breeding bird. She was born in 2017 and has raised a couple of clutches. Now, she's our newest education ambassador. Prairie Falcons are not native to Tennessee. They are typically found in the Western United States and Mexico.

Meet the Birds: Meet the Team

Our Founders

"Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops. Sail over the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future, and all that we can be and not what we are."

- The Eagle and the Hawk by John Denver

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Valerie Russell

Founder and President

Valerie has been a falconer in Tennessee since 2016 and currently holds a TWRA Education permit and a Wildlife Rehabilitation permit. Her medical background in nursing and hospice is invaluable for the care of our injured and non-releasable birds.

Ian Turner

Founder and Vice-President

Ian has been a falconer in Tennessee since 2016 and currently holds a TWRA General Falconry permit. He has worked with different birds of prey across three states and focuses on proper handling techniques and technical aspects of care for our birds. He is also an Eagle Scout.

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Lyle Russell

Founder, Secretary and Treasurer

Lyle is responsible for facilities construction, media and maintenance, as well as caring for our birds and ensuring they have the best amenities available during their time with us. He is in the process of earning his TWRA Falconry Educator permit and is a certified Tennessee Naturalist with a background in forestry.

Middle Tennessee Raptor Center

A Tennessee Non-Profit Corporation

We are a non-profit corporation dedicated to the conservation of and care for raptors and birds of prey. Our goal is to protect these magnificent animals and educate the public on the benefits of their preservation. 501(c)3 status has been applied for in April of 2021.

Meet the Birds: Meet the Team