When an outdoor warning siren blared to life during a recent Texas storm, its purpose was to protect people, but for one family of American kestrels, the deafening blast spelled disaster.
The birds’ nest, built precariously inside the siren tower in Waxahachie, was shaken loose by intense winds and vibrations, sending three helpless chicks tumbling to the ground. Their fall could have been fatal. Instead, it became the beginning of a second chance.
A Rough Start, A Rescue Chain
The chicks were first discovered by a local rehabber who doesn’t typically treat birds. Recognizing the urgent need for specialized care, they were transferred to Roger’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Hutchins and then, through a coordinated effort, brought to the Lucas-based Blackland Prairie Raptor Center (BPRC), a North Texas nonprofit dedicated to birds of prey and the restoration of their natural habitats.
“Our weekly transport partnerships allow us to support each other’s strengths,” said Hailey LeBaron, community engagement coordinator at Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. “Roger’s focuses on non-raptors, so kestrels like these come to us for species-specific care. It’s teamwork in action.”
From ICU To Mouse School
Upon arrival, the baby kestrels were placed in indoor ICU housing to stabilize and monitor their condition. Once strong enough, they were moved to a larger outdoor enclosure and into a more advanced stage of rehab: Mouse School.
That’s right. Like students with wings, the young raptors must learn to hunt live prey before they can survive in the wild. This group didn’t pass their first test, but they'll get another shot and more mice soon.
“They’re sharing space with four other young kestrels, which helps them develop natural social behaviors too,” the BPRC team said.
If all goes well, the kestrels will be ready for release within the next three weeks.
What’s Next for the Kestrels
The ultimate goal is always the same: release into the wild. But only once the birds can demonstrate independent hunting skills, proper flight and predator awareness.
In a world where urban infrastructure increasingly overlaps with native wildlife habitats, these kinds of rescues are becoming more common and more urgent.
Follow the kestrels’ recovery journey and learn how you can support their release at bpraptorcenter.org.
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