In partnership with Willows, Hobbledown is home to a magnificent range of birds of prey. Visit and enjoy public flying demonstrations, meet and greets, or even book your own face-to-face experience!
All of our birds rest in their aviaries throughout the day, so you will always be able to walk around the Willow's Falconry center, view the birds, and read fantastic facts about each species on display.
Throughout the summer our flying displays run daily at 11:30am and 2:30pm on Peak Days (weekends and school holidays)
Meet the birds...
Barn Owl - Tyto Alba
Scrumpy
Barn owls are amazing hunters with wings designed for quiet flights! Their special feathers make them almost silent when they swoop down on prey. Plus, check out their heart-shaped faces! Those shapes help them hear better and find their next meal. But sadly, these cool owls are losing their homes and sometimes get sick from eating poisoned rodents.
Indian Eagle Owl - Bubo Bengalensis
Turkmenian Eagle Owl - Bubo Bubo Turcomanus
Caspian
The Turkmenian Eagle Owl, rocking vibrant yellow eyes and a cool round face! With its awesome mottled brown feathers, it's practically invisible in the desert rocks. But here's the real kicker: in Turkmenistan and other places nearby, people think these owls are super special. They're like magical creatures from stories passed down through generations!
Common Buzzard - Buteo Buteo
Bronson
Say hello to the Common Buzzard, the sky's superstar in Europe! But here's the twist: these magnificent birds don't stop there – they're also spreading their wings across parts of Asia, from the Middle East to chilly Siberia.
Steppe Eagle - Aquila Nipalensis
Buckbeak
Meet the mighty Steppe eagle, a powerhouse soaring across Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China! With a taste for small mammals and a knack for scavenging, they're the true rulers of the skies. But here's the heart-wrenching truth: these majestic eagles are in danger. Pesticides, power lines, and habitat loss threaten their existence.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl - Bubo bubo
Boggart
One of the largest species of owl in the world, the Eurasian eagle owl can be found in the wild across the UK and Eurasia. They can live for up to 60 years in captivity! Eurasian eagle owls like to live in dense forests where their beautiful camouflage makes them all but disappear into the trees.
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura
Obi
These scavengers use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. Though it might seem morbid, their role in the ecosystem is important - cleaning up dead animals that would otherwise lay around and spread diseases. Their stomachs are also highly acidic, which means they can digest just about anything.
Raven - Corvus corax
Apollo
The largest member of the crow family, the raven is an intelligent, sociable and adaptive bird. Ravens can be found across the UK, Scandinavia, North America and Northern Europe. Unlike birds of prey, ravens are omnivores - so as well as meat, they also eat fruit and vegetables.
Peregrine Falcon - Falco Peregrinus
Spitfire
As the fastest living creature ever to have lived on planet Earth, the Peregrine falcon is definitely a record breaker! Peregrine falcons can reach over 200mph in a ‘stoop’ which is another word for their breathtaking dives.
