One of the many highlights of Newburyport’s 6th Annual Eagle Festival was the return visit of Tom Ricardi, a retired game warden who has spent over 40 years rehabilitating raptors. He operates the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center from his home in Conway, Massachusetts, thanks to his very generous and patient wife.
Some young eagle fans await the show!
Tom shows his eagle puppet
The Grey Horned owl is the largest species in New England and gets its name from its ear tufts that serve as camouflage. It is a formidable predator that hunts skunks and wild turkeys.
The Peregrine Falcon is makings a come back in New England. It has long pointed wings for speed and feathers in its nostrils to protect its lungs.
The kestrel close up.
The Turkey Vulture lets its dropping run down its legs to cool down and kill germs.
The Turkey Vultures nostrils go all the way through to prevent something getting stuck as it scavenges.
The European Auger Buzzard is similiar to the Red Tail Hawk.
This Golden Eagle has been with Tom for 27 years after it broke its wing on a power line. The eagle is quite fond of Tom and attempts to groom and snuggle!
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Christin Walth is a contributing editor to Newburyport-Today. She lives in Downtown Newburyport and pens a weekly column on life in the City. She can be reached for comment at cwalth@comcast.net
