Recently, our fourth-grade students were excited to meet Wicca, an Eurasian Eagle-Owl. She was hatched on May 1, 2025, at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts. The students learned a vast amount of information through the educational program presented by John Simcox of the Talon Ridge Raptors Institute. They were taught that Wicca was part of the largest of the owl species. She was an apex predator that had incredible eyesight. Although she could not move her eyes, she could turn her head almost 365 degrees. She had incredible talons that allowed her to hunt for rodents, fish, reptiles, and even other birds. The students were in awe of her size, her striking orange eyes, and her beautiful plume of feathers. Since Wicca was not native to our area, the students were thankful to have met such a majestic bird. The presentation provided each student a better understanding of raptors and their place in our world.
