Undercover Investigations

Undercover Investigations to Save Protected Birds

Urban Bird Foundation is on the frontlines defending native bird populations and habitat in and around communities across the United States. With a particular focus on saving burrowing owls in and adjacent to urban and suburban environments, we discovered early on that despite state and federal protections, these unique raptors are often accidentally overlooked by uninformed workers or strategically persecuted for obstructing development projects.

Over the last decade, staff and volunteers have successfully posed as company employees, recruited corporate and government agency whistleblowers, and at personal risk slipped into development project sites during the day or undercover of night to protect burrowing owls (and other native birds) from behind closed doors – jumping in to action or facing down bulldozers when necessary to save owls, eggs and young.

Report Burrowing Owl Sightings

Provide a Tip for Owls in Danger

email owls@urbanbird.org
For immediate owl and bird emergencies

call 925-240-3399 or for injured wildlife locate your nearest wildlife hospital

For all other inquiries

contact Urban Bird Foundation at info@urbanbird.org or 707-492-5554

Exposing Illegal Activities that Kill Birds

Between 2009 and 2019, our investigations have exposed an incredibly troubling status quo that involves:

• Illegal use of poison gas rodenticides in active burrowing owl burrows
• Unlawful blocking of burrowing owl burrows (e.g. rocks, landscape material) designed to trap owls underground or prevent parents from tending eggs or young
• Illicit use of dogs to disperse owls from their burrows and habitat before biologists arrive for required surveys
• Falsified biological reports from biologists hired by development companies
• Bulldozing and earthmoving land during breeding season before owls can be surveyed or removed – burying alive owls, eggs and juveniles

Photos from the Field

Illegally Bulldozing Habitat | Covering Owl Burrows with Landscape Cloth | Checking Burrows for Owls

You are donating to : Urban Bird Foundation

How much would you like to donate?
$25 $50 $100
Would you like to make regular donations? I would like to make donation(s)
How many times would you like this to recur? (including this payment) *
Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone
Address
Additional Note
Loading...