Raiju

Raiju

Species: American Kestrel

Nicknames:

Sex: Female

Hatched: 2023

Arrived: 2023

Condition: Human imprinted (illegally kept as a pet)

Raiju’s Story:

Raiju was found as a young bird hanging out in someone’s backyard. After many days with no signs of her kestrel parents, she was brought to the Toronto Wildlife Centre. She was in a healthy body condition but all of her flight feathers had been clipped. Within days of being at TWC, Raiju had little to no fear of the staff and even started peeping at them.

She was most likely taken from the wild illegally as an egg or a chick, to be kept as a pet. It is unsure how she ended up in the backyard, whether she escaped or was released. In either case, Raiju does not understand that she’s a kestrel because she grew up around humans, instead of being raised by her parents, and would not survive if released back to the wild.

Raiju is now a member of the Wild Ontario education team and has made quick progress in her training. Her big eyes and loud character will help people across Ontario fall in love with these tiny but mighty predators. She also helps us share an important message about leaving wildlife in the wild, no matter how cute they may be.

American Kestrels are the smallest falcon species in Ontario, but what they lack in size they make up for in speed and agility! These little predators can catch small mammals, other birds, snakes, lizards, and insects, hunting both in the air and on the ground. They can dive at speeds of up to 115kph, or dial it back to a complete standstill as they hover over a field in search of prey.