Humane Indiana Wildlife’s 2nd Annual Birds of Prey Jamboree is Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center on Corinne Drive in Hammond, IN. During the event, enjoy free admission to shop, learn and play. Beginning at 9 a.m., meet and have Donuts with Hoots, Humane Indiana Wildlife’s hooty mascot. Browse and shop in the Marketplace, highlighting items from local artists, crafters and vendors. Meet experts and interact with educational groups with speakers from Wild Birds Unlimited, Indiana Dunes National Park Service and more. Children will have the opportunity to play in the kids’ activity area with crafts and educational activities, including hawk and owl pellet dissection.
The Jamboree will showcase three unique presentations featuring birds of prey, live and in-person, that will require a paid ticket. Each display is limited to 100 people. Tickets are $10 per person, per presentation–or attend all three with a $25 all-access pass. Children, ages seven and under are free; for every paid adult, receive up to three complimentary child tickets. Special presentations are as scheduled:
10 – 11 a.m; Humane Indiana Wildlife presents Birds of Prey in Northwest Indiana
Learn about Humane Indiana Wildlife’s bird of prey ambassadors. Meet a rescued Snowy Owl named Owlfred, a Barred Owl called Arya, along with a rehabilitated Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel. Experts will discuss the species’ natural history and what brought that particular bird of prey into the Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center for care.
12 – 1 p.m; Indiana Audubon Society
Join Indiana Audubon Society member Matt Kalwasinski for a presentation on the various types of raptors, including hawks and owls, that can be seen in Northwest Indiana. Kalwasinski will cover basic identification tips and give suggestions on where to find these species of birds in the region.
2 – 3 p.m; Humane Indiana Wildlife presents Differences in Hawks, Owls and Falcons
Discover more of Humane Indiana Wildlife’s ambassadors. Encounter live birds of prey, including Pomona the Peregrine Falcon, a Red-tailed Hawk called Phoenix and a rare Barn Owl—an endangered species in Indiana. Experts will discuss each species’ natural history and what brought that particular bird of prey into the Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. Attendees will also learn tips on how to help protect these magnificent predators.
For more information or to register for ticketed presentations, visit HumaneIndiana.org/events/2023/jamboree . Animal ambassadors at the event are subject to change.