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Clanton Middle School hosted all third-grade students in Chilton County for a raptor show presented by the Auburn University Raptor Center. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Students observe the Eastern Screech Owl as it is walked around the gymnasium by the handler. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

A Barn Owl during the raptor show by the Auburn University Raptor Center. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

An American Kestrel Falcon draws the attention of the students during its walk. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The Red-tailed Hawk shows off its wings to the third-grade students. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

An up-close shot of the Eastern Screech Owl during the raptor show. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The Chilton County Auburn Club sponsored the event that had students learn about the different types of raptor birds. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Clanton Middle School hosted the Auburn University Raptor Center and all of the third-grade classes in Chilton County for a raptor show on Feb. 6. Home schooled and Chilton Christian Academy third-grade students also attended the event.

The Chilton County Auburn Club sponsored the event that had students learn about the different types of raptor birds, their habitats and their effect on the ecology of areas up close and personal. Each bird was brought out of its cage and walked around the gym for students to see up close. Some made noises unique to its kind, and others took the opportunity to use the bathroom.

The Raptor Center brought two different types of owls, an Eastern Screech Owl and a Barn Owl, a Red-tailed Hawk, an American Kestrel Falcon, a vulture and a Golden Eagle, Aurea, the same Golden Eagle that flies at Auburn football games inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Clanton Middle School and the Chilton County Auburn Club gave a special thanks to CMS Principal Tony Byrd, Mike and Bo Blankenship, Joe and Glenda Mims, Mike and Nancy Cooper and its board members for making the event happen.

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