Alaska Raptor Center

The rugged wilderness of Alaska is home to plentiful wildlife, and the raptors of the area are in good hands at the Alaska Raptor Center. Located in Sitka, this 17-acre raptor rehabilitation facility has a mission of promoting and enhancing the native populations of raptors and other birds through conservation research, rehab programs, and providing education to the community.

Many of our Sitka wildlife tours visit Alaska Raptor Center.

About Alaska Raptor Center

The Alaska Raptor Center borders the Tongass National Forest, and its main patients are raptors—especially bald eagles. As a nonprofit organization, the center is open to the public for daily tours, and more than 40,000 people come each year to see the resident raptors that call the Center home.

The Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation Bald Eagle Flight Training Center is a popular stop on the tour of the facility, where visitors can enter an indoor area to watch bald eagles as they learn to bathe, fly, and interact in a naturalized environment before release.

Getting There

The center is just a short distance from downtown Sitka, making it an easy addition to your itinerary:

By Car or Taxi: The Alaska Raptor Center is about a 5-minute drive from downtown Sitka. Taxis and rideshares are available and convenient.

Walking: For those who enjoy a leisurely stroll, the center is accessible on foot from downtown in about 20–30 minutes, depending on your pace.

Tours: Many Sitka excursions include the Raptor Center as part of their itinerary, often combined with visits to the Fortress of the Bears or Sitka National Historic Park.

Alaska Raptor Center Highlights

Rehabilitation: The center is primarily a rehabilitation facility for injured birds of prey, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. During your visit, you’ll learn about the rehabilitation process and the challenges these birds face.

Bald Eagles: The center’s most iconic residents are its bald eagles. The Flight Training Center allows visitors to observe these majestic birds as they regain their strength in preparation for release.

Resident Raptors: Some birds cannot be released due to permanent injuries. These "education ambassadors" live at the center and provide visitors with an up-close view of species like owls, hawks, and falcons.

Interactive Displays: Learn about the role raptors play in the ecosystem through engaging exhibits and presentations. The knowledgeable staff and volunteers are always happy to answer questions.

Things to Do

Guided Tours: Join a guided tour to learn more about the center’s work, the birds, and their natural habitats. Tours are often included in the price of admission.
Observation Areas: Watch rehabilitating raptors in their spacious enclosures and learn about their care and recovery.

Photography: Capture stunning photos of eagles and other raptors up close. The center’s natural setting provides beautiful backdrops for your shots.

Nature Trails: The center’s grounds include short walking trails that wind through lush forest, offering peaceful spots to enjoy Sitka’s natural beauty.

Public Release Events: Two public release events occur each year—typically in May and September—where visitors can witness firsthand the celebration of releasing Alaska’s raptors back into the wild.

History

Established in 1980, the Alaska Raptor Center was started in the backyard of two local Sitka residents and began with the treatment of one bald eagle. The program grew, and in 1983, it moved to the campus of Sheldon Jackson College before settling at its 17-acre location by Indian River in 1991.

Today’s modern facility is the largest bird treatment center in the state, and more than 2,500 people around the world help support the mission as members of the Alaska Raptor Center.

Interesting Facts

The Alaska Raptor Center combines education and an up-close look at some of the most important raptor species in North America. Whether you come to watch the bald eagles or to learn about conservation, it’s a fascinating facility with a lot to offer.

• The Center is a permanent home to about two-dozen raptors and other avian species that are used for public education, including eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and ravens.


• Every year, the Center takes in between 100-200 birds that have been injured due to collisions, trapping, disease, and electrocution—with about 85% of injuries caused by humans.


• Not all of the avian patients that arrive at the Center come from the area around Sitka! Many are flown in for treatment via regional airlines and Alaska Airlines.


• Volta, the most popular resident of the Center, is a bald eagle that collided with power lines in 1992 and suffered permanent damage.


• Raptors that are rehabilitated but unable to return to the wild or remain a permanent Center resident are moved to wildlife centers and zoos across the country to serve as educational ambassadors for their species.

Alaska Raptor Center

With nature trails, 24 resident birds, and a state-of-the-art Flight Training Center, the Alaska Raptor Center has plenty to see and explore for all ages. There are few places in the world where you can get up close and personal with some of the most majestic avian species, and the Center is the ideal place to spend an afternoon learning about their ongoing mission to protect native wildlife.

View our complete Sitka cruise port guide and all of our Sitka tours.