Breeding Programme

Any breeding programme is undertaken to safeguard the future of a species.  Many species are in such decline that captive breeding is the only way of ensuring that natural habitats can one day be re-populated when it is safe to do so and when there is enough of a  world-wide captive population of different bloodlines to support it.

In just 5 years Eagle Heights has sent birds to zoological establishments all over the world.  Countries including: Singapore, Canada, Tenerife, Greece, Malta, Spain, Sweden and dozens of UK collections.   All birds have been young or sub-adult and will one day breed.  The off-spring will then enter what we call the International Dating Agency for Birds of Prey.

In 2002 Eagle Heights very nearly became the first centre to release Bald Eagles in the USA.  Unfortunately, “red-tape” caused such a delay that the programme has been postponed until 2003.  No other UK centre has tried this.

All species need a multiple amount of breeding pairs in captivity to support a release programme.  Different blood lines are needed and back-up pairs and surplus birds must be held in case one of the established pairs dies

Any release programme must also be carried out in habitants that are safeguarded.  A bird cannot be released into a tree if someone is going to cut it down. The whole programme as you can see becomes vast.

Certain species in the wild are at good numbers at the moment but could go into freefall and possibly become extinct if we do not intervene.  Loss of habitat and human population encroachment mean they are in danger.   This is where we can step in, take young birds under license from government authorities and set up captive breeding programmes.



Below is a list of birds bred at Eagle Heights to date:

Kestrels                  Cape Eagle Owls
Harris Hawks           European Buzzards
Lanner Falcons        Snowy Owls
Barn Owls              European Eagle Owls
Red Tails                Steppe Eagles
Tawny Owl            Bald Eagles           

List of species now “paired up”:

African Spotted Eagle Owl    Martial Eagle
Little Owl            Booted Eagle
Black Kite            Golden Eagle
Bateleur Eagle            Lugger Falcon
Straited Caracara        Turkey Vulture
Ferrugineus Hawk        Black Vulture
Palm Nut Vulture        Hobby
Brahminny Kite        Oriental Hawk Owl

Eagle Heights has also re-established Barn-Owls and European Buzzards into the Darent Valley.  This has taken a huge amount of time, effort and knowledge, not only in the birds but establishing and securing the food and habitat to support these species.  Commitment is paramount.

When the time is right we will release as many birds as possible.  If the situation is right, the number are untold. Birds of Prey held at Eagle Heights are not there just for “collective value”.   As a conservation centre we hold them “in trust” for the future.  We will always promise to put back what needs to be put back in SAFE areas.