Stan the Hawk visits library

COLFAX - On May 19, Hawk and Owl Outreach (HOOT) from Spokane's West Valley Outdoor Learning Center brought Stan, a Harris' hawk, to visit local children at the library.

Program representative Davis Hatch gave a presentation about raptors. Hatch showed youngsters a skull of an owl and wings from birds, while Stan sat on his perch.

The Outdoor Learning Center has five birds of prey.

The five birds are a Harris's hawk named "Stan," a red-tailed hawk, a rough-legged hawk, a hybrid sparred owl, and a great-horned owl.

The center adopted these wild, once injured, birds, giving them the chance to be educational companions to teach about environmental and habitat challenges.

Hatch told area youngsters to keep a safe distance, because Stan could "get antsy and jump."

Kids were excited to ask questions, and watch Stan as he jumped with his wings spread out.