World of Owls presented by Wingmasters

Wingmasters presents World of Owls for ages 6 and up. This is a live animal program. See and learn about owls! All attendees MUST be at least 6 years old. All audience members must be seated in chairs during the presentation. An ASL interpreter will be present thanks to a grant from the Library Services Technology Act Access for All grant through the Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners, which is funded through IMLS.

Owls are probably more misunderstood than any other kind of bird. These are hunting birds, yet their sharp beaks and talons are partly hidden under feathers. Owls have more and softer feathers than other birds, and this unique plumage gives them a plump, rounded look. Add an upright posture and huge eyes set in front like ours, and you have what looks irresistibly like a small, bemused person wearing a fur coat. In reality, owls are superbly adapted nocturnal hunters. This program shows how owls use their specialized powers of sight, hearing and flight to survive and thrive. A wealth of fact and folklore about these masters of the night explains the natural and unnatural history of owls. A variety of live North American owls provides the focus of this presentation.

WINGMASTERS is a partnership of two people dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of North American birds of prey. Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks are both licensed wildlife rehabilitators based in Massachusetts. Together they care for injured birds of prey at their private center in Leverett, Massachusetts. Most of the birds they rehabilitate can ultimately be released back into the wild, but in some cases the birds are left permanently handicapped. Julie and Jim are further licensed to provide a home for these non-releasable raptors, and to use them for educational programs. Since 1994 WINGMASTERS has presented over 10,000 programs at schools, libraries and museums throughout New England. For the birds' well-being and for the safety of the and are under our control at all times. They are never flown for demonstration.

You may also like the following events from Peabody Institute Library, Danvers:

• Next Tuesday, 17th June, 10:00 am, Stories & Babysign with Beebo in Danvers
• Next month, 21st July, 06:00 pm, Bigfoot & UFOs with Ronny LeBlanc in Peabody