Raptor Center celebrates 25 years of pre-game eagle flights

It’s a pre-game tradition that’s not to be missed: an eagle from the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC) circles Jordan-Hare Stadium before landing midfield to a booming chorus of “War Eagle, hey!”

This fall, that famed tradition turns 25 years old, although according to AURC’s director Robyn Miller, some fans think it’s been even longer.

Indy, short for Independence, is a permanent resident of the Raptor Center and an educational ambassador who is currently making the famous pre-game flight.

“The birds at Auburn University Raptor Center each have their own story, their own presence and their own role in this place,” said Robyn Miller, AURC’s director, shown here with Aurea.

While many football fans are familiar with the AURC because of the famous pre-game flights, most do not realize it’s one of the top raptor rehabilitation centers in the Southeast.

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"It has been surprising how many people remember the eagle flights going on for more than 25 years," she said. "I like to think that's because it's become such an ingrained part of our culture and our identity as Auburn University that we remember it being a cohesive part of us for much longer."

While many football fans are familiar with the AURC because of the famous pre-game flights, most do not realize it’s one of the top raptor rehabilitation centers in the Southeast. Each year, staff members provide expert veterinary care to rehabilitate more than 300 injured or ill raptors, including hawks, owls, falcons and eagles, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild whenever possible.

“The birds at Auburn University Raptor Center each have their own story, their own presence and their own role in this place,” said Robyn Miller, AURC’s director. “Providing lifelong care means meeting real needs, from medical treatment to enrichment, and while costs continue to rise, our commitment never wavers. It’s not a duty we take lightly — it’s an honor.”

To help care for those raptors, and to celebrate 25 years of flight, the AURC is celebrating with a campaign to raise awareness and philanthropic support for the center’s growth. With an average stay of 78 days and the need for specialized care, it’s easy for an injured raptor to rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills.

So, to give raptors a chance to return to their natural habitats, the AURC provides roughly $150,000 in patient care costs annually. And thanks to AURC’s close relationship with the College of Veterinary Medicine, the high level of care provided means many raptors do eventually return to the skies.

“Our release rate is unusually high, largely because of our relationship with Vet Med,” said Miller. “We’re throwing everything we have at these birds to give them a second chance at life in the wild.”

Those birds that can’t be released are housed at the AURC as permanent residents, along with Aurea and Indy, the eagles who currently fly over Jordan-Hare Stadium. While the funds raised during this campaign will support caring for raptors, they will also bolster the center’s educational offerings, which include more than 300 free events each year, with staff presenting lessons on raptor habitats, ecology and conservation in schools, daycares, businesses and retirement homes.

Small groups can book a guided tour of the enclosure that houses the center’s permanent residents, while groups of 25 or more can book a private educational presentation. One of the center’s most popular offerings is the “Football, Fans and Feathers” raptor show held each Friday before home games at 4 p.m. Gifts made during this campaign will be used to expand and modify the educational amphitheater area where these programs take place.

Miller hopes the campaign will stir up fond memories for fans, as well as support for the future.

“This is a fundraising campaign, but it’s also an invitation to rally our community behind this iconic symbol of Auburn University,” Miller said. “It’s a celebration for anyone who’s ever felt inspired by an eagle flight.”