Non-Releasable Bird Care

Challenger the Eagle receives his daily exercise.

Each bird at the AEF receives a custom, monitored daily diet.

AEF residents are weathered as often as possible for sunlight and relaxation.

Wings of America star 'Mikie' prepares for a feeding during the next show!

Mr. Lincoln receives his daily exercise!

Residents of Eagle Mountain Sanctuary receive ample fresh food daily.

AEF residents are given checkups by Avian Veterinarians annually.

AEF residents are given checkups by Avian Veterinarians annually.

Challenger the Eagle receives monthly checkups to ensure he is healthy to travel.

AEF is federally and state licensed to administer daily care to their 80 resident birds of prey daily. These birds are non-releasable due to permanent physical disabilities or accidental imprinting on humans.

Each day, our bird enclosures are carefully cleaned and disinfected to maintain a healthy environment. Our team provides daily feeding, exercise, training, and routine wellness checks. Birds are weighed regularly, and their meals are prepared based on those weights to ensure they receive the proper nutrition.

Their diets are tailored to each species and may include a variety of foods such as quail, rabbit, trout, mice, rats, and beef heart. We also make every effort to give the birds as much natural sunshine as possible. Exercise is part of their daily routine and is adapted to their individual abilities. Some birds are flown from person to person or from person to perch, while others participate in jump-ups and other enrichment activities to keep them active and engaged.

Our non-releasable Eagles at Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary are fed a variety of food each day such as rat, rabbit, quail and trout.

Once a year, veterinarians from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine come to American Eagle Foundation to perform physicals on all of the eagles located at Dollywood and the off-park facility. At this time, AEF staff perform renovations to these aviaries, repair wear and tear on the netting, and perching.