With patience, precision, and compassion, rescued baby raptors can return to the sky

BRRC’s mission is simple yet urgent: to rescue, rehabilitate, and release birds of prey in China.  

In 2025, BRRC admitted 90 young birds of prey. Most came alone, but then two full nests of common kestrels, nine baby raptors in total, needed our help. 

BRRC rehabilitators took immediate action. One by one, they cradled each baby raptor in their gloved hands, gently parting the soft down to check for bruises, swelling, or hidden wounds. They carefully weighed each baby raptor, recording 126 grams, 118 grams, 134 grams, 122 grams, and a fragile 32 grams for the smallest. They prepared rehydration solutions precisely matched to the raptors’ weights to fight dehydration. Every meal was cut into tiny pieces with the perfect balance of nutrients for their delicate stage of growth. 

Feeding followed strict routines to protect the baby raptors’ natural instincts. Since associating humans with food could jeopardise their survival, the team covered their faces, arms, and clothing before each feeding. From a hand puppet modelled after an adult kestrel, the chicks accepted the meal as if it came from one of their own. 

Over the next few weeks, we watched the baby raptors’ transform. At around four weeks, the white down began to give way to dark-tipped blood feathers. Indoors, they lived in padded baskets placed on shelves to mimic nest height. Some began hopping out of their baskets and perching on the edges, testing their balance. By five to six weeks, feedings dropped to once daily. They were moved to outdoor wards, where the air carried new scents and allowed for short, clumsy flights. At eight weeks, with full adult feathers and strong, controlled flight, three weighed 238 grams, one 242g, and another 224g, which promised a successful release. They were ready to return to the wild.  

The second nest: four young kestrels in a construction zone 

On 22 May, BRRC’s hotline rang again. This time, the call came from a construction site in the mountainous outskirts of Pinggu District, northeastern Beijing. Four baby common kestrels had been discovered in a nest built on the narrow ledge of an outdoor air conditioning unit. The building was being covered with protective netting, which, once in place, would prevent the parent birds from returning to feed their young. 

The construction workers quickly recognised the urgency of the situation. One of them informed a friend, who contacted BRRC. When the rehabilitators arrived, the young raptors were still in their downy stage. The team gently lifted each bird from the ledge and transported them to BRRC. There, they conducted the same thorough examinations, precise treatment, and attentive daily care, and their health was closely monitored and documented until they met the release criteria. 

A more fragile case 

Not all cases at BRRC are as straightforward as healthy baby raptors needing care. On 12 June, a young common kestrel arrived with its left wing hanging down. The initial examination suggested a fracture, and x-rays confirmed a broken ulna. Fortunately, it was a closed fracture with aligned bone ends, meaning surgery was unnecessary. BRRC staff stabilised the wing with a figure-eight bandage, began a course of medication, and scheduled regular physiotherapy. 

Three weeks later, a follow-up x-ray showed complete bone healing. Rehabilitators removed the bandage and placed the kestrel in an indoor room to allow gradual return to movement. At first, the bird flew low and unevenly, its wing still drooping slightly. But after a week of practicing in an outdoor ward, its altitude and control improved. The final stage took place in a large outdoor ward, where it could build endurance. On 6 August, the kestrel passed all release criteria and was set free in the wild. 

Precision and patience 

Since its founding in 2001, BRRC has cared for more than 6,300 raptors, each treated with the same care and attention needed for a safe return to the wild. By 7 August, BRRC had admitted 90 baby raptors this year, including 68 common kestrels, three little owls, 10 oriental scops owls, six peregrine falcons, one Amur falcon, one Chinese sparrowhawk, and one tawny owl. Of these, 75 have already returned to the wild, while six continue to grow and recover under BRRC’s care. Every release is far more than simply opening a cage—it is the final step of weeks or months of dedicated rehabilitation. 

Before a bird can take to the skies again, it has to pass a thorough evaluation. Physically, any past injuries or illnesses that may reduce its chances for survival need to be completely resolved. The raptor has to have a healthy weight; feathers that are clean, waterproof, and free of significant damage; and fully functional vision and hearing. Its flight has to be strong, steady, and, for owls, silent. Behaviourally, it has to show the right relationship to humans: alert and cautious, neither begging for food nor showing undue aggression.  

Much of BRRC’s work takes place out of the public view, inside treatment rooms where every feather, wingbeat, and gram of food is observed. For the nine baby kestrels, and for every bird that has launched itself from the rescue centre into open air, this work has meant one thing: a second chance to live as they were meant to, high and free in the sky.