Native American Aviaries
A Conversation About the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Eagle Aviary
The Service is very excited to have the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Eagle Aviary here in the Pacific Region. To learn more about the aviary and the Tribe’s perspective on what it took to open an aviary, we spoke with Cameron Heusser, Wildlife Program Manager for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
I think the biggest question out there has to be why. Why did the Tribe take this incredible step and open an eagle aviary?
The Tribe has a strong cultural link to eagles, and we have always had an interest in keeping injured local eagles on the Reservation. When Janie Veltkamp moved Birds of Prey Northwest to St. Maries in the mid 2000’s, we finally had a local rehabilitator, and a way to keep local eagles nearby. However, their feathers had to be collected and sent far away to be distributed to Native American Tribes nationwide. From working with Janie for several years, we came to realize that there was another option to keep these eagles and their feathers for Coeur d’Alene Tribal members, and that with her help we could make it happen.

To learn more about the aviary and the Tribe’s perspective,
Please Read More Here!
Birds of Prey Northwest can help your Tribe set up an official US Fish and Wildlife Service approved aviary.
Those interested in Native American Aviaries need to contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service permitting authority in their region to obtain proper permits and guidelines.

For more information on how BoPNW started the process, contact us (208) 582 0797
email: janie@bopnw.org

For more information on the Coeur d’ Alene tribe,
Please visit: www.cdatribe-nsn.gov
Native American Resource

On November 30th, 2016
The newly US Fish and Wildlife-permitted Coeur d'Alene Tribal Aviaries received the first eagles to be placed within the structures, one aviary for golden eagles and one for bald eagles. On that day, an adult bald eagle and two immature golden eagles were released into the structure by Nate Albrecht - biologist with CDA Tribe, and Don and Janie Veltkamp - BOPNW Board members.