Tom ricardi birds of prey contact10/6/2023 ![]() Originally a state game warden that retired after 39 years, Ricardi now rehabilitates eagles, hawks and owls. ![]() The event is sponsored by the Birdwatcher’s General Store, Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, The Cape Cod Times, Cape Cod Chronicle, Cape Codder, Harwich Oracle, and The Register. To bring audiences close encounters with these majestic raptors, the HCT teams up with Ricardi who runs the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in western Massachusetts. I’m gonna keep going.Peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, and the bald-headed turkey vulture are among the live birds of prey that Tom Ricardi brings to the Harwich Conservation Trust’s (HCT) signature summer event at the Harwich Community Center in July. He also provides sanctuary for numerous raptors that cannot be released back into the wild, including a pair of bald eagles that have been producing chicks yearly.Īsked how much longer he intends to run the rehabilitation facility, the spry 81-year-old quipped, “I love it. He said he has helped 26 birds so far this year, mostly barred owls injured in vehicle collisions or suffering from malnutrition. Last year, Ricardi treated and released 165 eagles, owls, hawks and vultures. Once Ricardi opened the wooden crate, the large owl with glaring yellow eyes and tufted ears exploded into flight, gliding to a nearby maple tree. “I couldn’t help all these birds without his help,” Ricardi said. Ricardi praised Schmitt, who has been helping him rehabilitate birds for years. Robert Schmitt of the South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic revealed a hairline fracture. The fourth, a great horned owl, was found with a damaged wing. ![]() ![]() ![]() Ricardi fed all three a diet of mice and quail until they were strong enough to be released. Three were barred owls that were found starving and so weak Ricardi said he was able to catch them with a net. On Wednesday, he released four owls he has given a second chance. Ricardi, who turned in his badge in 2001 after 38 years on the force, continues his public service by running his Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility at his Conway home, where he nurses injured and sick raptors back to health. DEERFIELD - Last Wednesday was just another day at the “office” for retired environmental police officer Tom Ricardi, as he pulled his finger out of the chomping beak of a barred owl he was trying to release near the Deerfield River. ![]()
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