Meet the Birds & Naturalists
Orion - Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Orion was hatched in 2006. She was found and taken to a rehab center after she had fallen from her nest before she could fly. She has a permanently injured wing that prevents her from flying. Her favorite food is rabbits but also eats rats, mice, and quail. She weighs 3 1/2 lbs (1640 g). She is very vocal at night, especially in October and November. Orion is not a pet and often exhibits natural owl behaviors but is very used to doing programs and being in front of large groups of people. She lives in a very large outdoor enclosure. Although she has limited flight she has lots of perches and large open air windows so she can feel as if in the woods but is safe from predators. Orion has performed over 362 programs to over 25600 people of all ages.
Mike Pratt is a wildlife biologist and outreach naturalist with over 30 years of hands-on experience in the wildlife field. He has performed hundreds of programs inspiring thousands of audience members. He specializes in raptors, native wildlife species and wildlife conflict resolution.
Mike is Executive Director and founder of Western Wildlife Encounters founded in 2014. He is also currently a member of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, member of the Northwest Oiled Wildlife Response Network and past Board President of the Washington Wildlife Rehabilitation Association.
Mike worked 24 years as a Wildlife Rehabilitator working with birds, mammals and reptiles. He has worked at wildlife centers in Missouri, Vermont and Washington. Mike’s 30 years of work expertise with raptors includes captive breeding, rehabilitation, training, and assisting with the Peregrine Falcon Reintroduction Program. Mike has also worked as a National Park Ranger.
Karen Platt has been doing outreach bird programs for over 10 years. Karen specializes in companion birds including Macaws. She has performed outreach programs to over 6300 people of all ages.