Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Hawks and Owls in Distress

A young hawk or owl found on the ground may not be orphaned. Do not take it to a rehabilitator unless the adults have not been seen for more than 24 hours.

Hawks and owls are capable of inflicting a very nasty wound with their sharp talons or, in some cases, their beak. Do not try to handle one of these birds unless you are wearing heavy gloves and/or have help from someone with experience.

Listed below are volunteers who are authorized to care for sick, injured, or orphaned hawks and owls with the intent of returning them back to the wild. These birds are protected by federal and state law.

Persons Authorized to Handle and Care for Hawks and Owls

Canton
  • Roaring Brook Nature Center
  • 860-693-0263
  • Accepting birds, migratory birds, raptors, vultures, corvids, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals
  • NO RVS, mice, rats, neonates, waterfowl
Guilford
Mansfield
Stonington
  • Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
  • 860-980-3731
  • ledwards@dpnc.org
  • Only rehabbing birds of prey and adult songbirds/perching birds
  • NO waterfowl; NO baby birds
Waterford
Waterford
  • Waterford Country School, Ben Turner/Tina Cote
  • 860-442-9454; dial extension #4290
  • bturner@waterfordcs.org
  • Only rehabbing adult migratory birds (NO baby birds), reptiles, and small mammals
Weston
Weston
  • Wildlife in Crisis
  • 203-544-9913
  • No ducks, geese, raccoons, or skunks

Return to Dealing with Distressed Wildlife

Content last updated in December 2025.