He said raptors are some of the species which serve as indicators of the health of the environment. Halverson says, "That's like if you remember back in the 1960's and 70's when all those birds of prey were disappearing because of toxins and DDT were coming...the shells to become soft and the chicks weren't hatching. They are a good indicator species of the health of everything out there."

     John says most raptors have very large eyes which enable them to spot prey such as mice and other rodents. That, he says, is one of the most important roles played by raptors: keeping the destructive rodent populations under control.

Al Van Zee