Raptor Propagation: Imprinting

Imprinting is defined as “a learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute identified as the parent” (American Heritage Dictionary).

Captive breeders generally use the term “imprint” to refer to a bird who has developed an attachment to people. Unless the bird is being hand raised for education or, in the case of pet birds like parakeets or parrots, companionship, imprinting can cause problems for the bird.

At the sanctuary, we sometimes see birds that have been taken (often illegally) from the nest as chicks and hand raised. These birds have never learned to feed themselves or interact with others of their species. As they grow older they identify with humans as mates, leading to a variety of miscommunications. As you can imagine, there is a fine line between “romance” and “attack” when a golden eagle decides to take you as its mate! Sadly, these birds are often relinquished or, worse, abandoned.

At WBS, we hand raise birds we intend to use for education programs. It is sometimes the case that a chick is at risk from a parent or sibling in the nest box and must be pulled and hand raised. Otherwise our birds are parent raised from the egg.

Here are pictures of Willard, a red-tailed hawk who was taken illegally from the nest as a chick. As a result of imprinting, Willard cannot be released in the wild. He’s a mellow guy and loved by the staff, but this is not the life he was hatched to lead.