lexi Catherine

A Bird in the Hand with @avianrecon

To see more of Allison’s photos and videos, follow @avianrecon on Instagram.

"When I was 12, I started volunteering at a wild bird rehabilitation center and got hooked. Now, I’m lucky enough to work with them at the Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC),” says Allison Miller (@avianrecon). “My official title is ‘Raptor Management Specialist’—I help clean, feed and care for injured and orphaned birds of prey brought to the ARC. I’m also a general falconer and use falconry for rehab as well as doing flight demonstrations for visitors. My favorite part is getting to release a healthy bird back to the wild. It’s the best thing ever!”

On Instagram, Allison shares photos and videos of the birds she works with at the center. “My favorite bird to photograph is Archer, a red shouldered hawk that I do flight demos with, because he just has the silliest personality. That said, everyone else favors the owls! Our petite screech owls, Hunter and Lucy, get the most likes, heads and shoulders above all the other birds.”

Allison also interacts with a “wonderful community of birders and falconers on Instagram” that she enjoys. To tune into some of Allison’s favorite people to follow, follow these great accounts:

@flowerlava, a Japanese birder with great shots

@chewiebird, a sunny Sun Conure

@floatingfeather, official Hawkwatch International account and a great source for raptor photos

@hawk_stalker, raptor photos from Utah

@peek_n_boo, a group of feisty Cockatiels

@mypetsknt, Tico and Neck, two adorable lovebirds

@meagletrainer, an eagle trainer from southeast Asia