This is a Eurasian Eagle Owl, whose brilliant orange eyes gave me chills.
![Eurasian Eagle Owl](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752310177_7f825e7cd9_b.jpg)
Check out those massive talons.
![Eurasian Eagle Owl](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48751794113_8fde21dd85_b.jpg)
![Eurasian Eagle Owl](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752121916_74edcb1cdf_b.jpg)
Compare the bright eyes of the eagle owl with those of the Barred Owl, which are very dark.
![Barred Owl](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48747010062_26f015bc1a_b.jpg)
This is a lovely Black Vulture.
![Black Vulture](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48751985198_1c5165494d_b.jpg)
Her wingspan is enormous. Although I see vultures soaring over the city, I was thrilled to see one this close.
![Black Vulture](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48751981948_5747468e43_b.jpg)
Bald Eagle!
![Bald Eagle](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48747209412_359812b06f_b.jpg)
This Harris's Hawk put on a lively flying demonstration.
![Harris's Hawk](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752478791_1307bf4b59_b.jpg)
Notice the differing patterns on her wing feathers - this hawk is molting from juvenile to adult plumage.
![Harris's Hawk](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752473771_641c4774a9_b.jpg)
![Harris's Hawk](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752471261_bd89699c7d_b.jpg)
The colorful American Kestrel is always a crowd-pleaser. These little falcons nest here in the city.
![Kestrel](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48751975971_8b9464754a_b.jpg)
NYC is also home to the fastest animal on the planet, the Peregrine Falcon.
![Peregrine](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48746572813_516c909228_b.jpg)
This year, Raptor Fest included several birds I've never seen before, one of which was this gorgeous Aplomado Falcon.
![Aplomado Falcon](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48746617613_240d412a8c_b.jpg)
And a Saker-Gyrfalcon hybrid.
![Gyrfalcon hybrid](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752225782_fc93f567aa_b.jpg)
![Gyrfalcon hybrid](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752227237_70df0910ff_b.jpg)
The most unusual bird of the day had to be this African Crowned Eagle. Its size and presence were stunning, and everyone had to get pic!
![African Crowned Eagle](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752567001_47e98767d3_b.jpg)
![African Crowned Eagle](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48752752912_d5e9aa4ae0_b.jpg)
Many of the birds on display were non-releasable due to injuries. This Eastern Screech Owl is blind in one eye and is in the care of Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation (WINORR).
![Blind Screech Owl](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48747001621_d3c7b39ba9_b.jpg)
Many thanks to the NYC Urban Park Rangers, Bobby and Cathy Horvath from WINNOR, and all the falconers who shared their beautiful birds and made it such a fun and educational day.
See many more photos from this exciting day over on my Flickr page.
Previously.
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