Meet Our Ambassadors
Blossom
Barred Owl
Blossom came to TWC in spring 2025 with a fracture in her wing after falling from her nest. Both her radius and ulna were broken and severely out of alignment. Avian veterinary specialists we consulted agreed that regaining full flight was not possible, but life as an ambassador was a perfect choice for this precocious young bird. Blossom has a very curious and playful personality, and she loves toys! Sponsor Blossom
Romeo
Great Horned Owl
Romeo joined the ambassador team in 2018 after a West Nile Virus (WNV) diagnosis. WNV symptoms vary from species to species, but a common symptom for birds of prey is damage to their feather follicles. As a result, when Romeo grows new wing and tail feathers each year, they grow in brittle and break off at the shaft. Romeo vocalizes often, with a combination of chittering, hoots, and clacks. He was given the name Romeo after he was regularly observed “chatting” with wild female Great Horned Owls near the center. Sponsor Romeo
Watson
American Kestrel
In the summer of 2019, a member of the public found Watson after he fell from his nest. Instead of being brought to a wildlife rehabilitator promptly, the public raised him during a critical period of development when he imprinted on people. This means that Watson views humans as "his kind" and cannot be released into the wild. Imprinting is a permanent condition. Although we wish he could have been released, Watson charms everyone he meets with his curious, bold personality and stunning blue-gray plumage.
Kestrels display sexual dimorphism, or distinct differences in size or appearance between the sexes. Males have blue-gray heads and wings and have rusty red feathers on their backs and tails, while females have reddish-brown wings and are larger. Sponsor Watson
Ruby
Red-Tailed Hawk
Ruby hatched in the spring of 2019 and suffered an injury shortly after she left the nest, which resulted in the loss of her right eye. While she can no longer hunt well enough to survive on her own, she can still fly and is one of our steadiest ambassadors on programs of all types. Ruby enjoys taking baths, interacting with various enrichment items, and above all, sunbathing!
Red-tailed Hawks are the largest and most common hawks in Pennsylvania, and they get their name from their red tail feathers once mature. A member of the public suggested Ruby's name because rubies are associated with the power of life, which she will bring to our ambassador program. Sponsor Ruby
Sophia
Barred Owl
After being hit by a car, Sophia was brought to Tamarack to be treated for a broken wing. She healed well enough to have limited flight but cannot fly well enough to survive in the wild. Barred Owls are one of only two Pennsylvania owl species that have dark eyes (other owls have a yellow iris), and they have the most vocal variations of any Pennsylvania owl.
Sophia is now retired from Tamarack education programs after a 20-year career as a traveling ambassador! Her beauty and dark eyes are breathtaking. Sponsor Sophia
Myrtle
Eastern Box Turtle
In the spring of 2018, Myrtle was found injured in the middle of a road and brought to the Center for medical care. With a fractured upper shell and internal injuries, Myrtle initially retreated into her shell and needed to be fed with a syringe. With time and treatment, she literally came out of her shell with personality. Because Myrtle was dropped off without information identifying where she was found, she is not releasable but has been a great addition to our education ambassador team.
When Myrtle is not educating kids and adults alike, she loves digging for worms and sunbathing on her log in her enclosure. Sponsor Myrtle
Leuco
Bald Eagle
Leuco is Tamarack's first Bald Eagle ambassador, despite specializing in the treatment of this powerful and charismatic species. Leuco came to Tamarack in late fall of 2025 and has been actively in training ever since.
Leuco hatched in early 2025 in Florida. As a nestling, he experienced a fishhook injury and a fall from his nest. Leuco sustained a concussion and a visual impairment that prevents him from returning to the wild. Tamarack has proven to be the perfect home for him. He loves shredding toys, sitting in the sunshine, and quietly greeting visitors as they walk past his aviary. We hope you'll stop by and meet him soon.
Willow
Screech Owl
Willow was rescued in 2010 when a tree limb containing her nest was cut down in an Erie, PA, city park. Willow was incubating three owlets at the time and injured her wing in the fall. The owl family was brought to Tamarack for care. An excellent mother, once her wing was treated, Willow was reunited with her babies. After she raised them to adulthood, they were released on Presque Isle. Willow can no longer fly well enough to hunt and has joined our ambassador team.
Always a favorite of the public, Willow joins the other education birds at Tamarack in providing programs to schools, service clubs, camps, churches, and other organizations so the public can discover one of Pennsylvania’s smallest and most enigmatic owls. Sponsor Willow
Apollo
Peregrine Falcon
In the spring of 2015, this young, handsome falcon suffered a wing injury and concussion. Treated at Sarvey Wildlife Center in Seattle, WA, he recovered enough to fly short distances, but restriction in his wrist prevents him from surviving in the wild. Apollo’s curious, inquisitive personality indicated he could be an excellent ambassador raptor.
The name Apollo refers to the Greek god of light, healing, wisdom, and manly beauty. This Peregrine is a handsome, masculine bird who inspires us to care for all creatures and bring healing to our world. Sponsor Apollo
Luna
Barn Owl
Luna came to Tamarack from the World Bird Sanctuary conservation breeding program in Missouri when he was only one month old. He grew quickly from a gangly, tiny dinosaur owlet into a sleek, elegant adult. Luna has an important job to do: helping people appreciate owls.
Luna started his training as an ambassador by spending time in the TWC office in order to ensure he is comfortable around people. Time with Luna is never dull. He likes to "catch" small stuffed animals and fly around with them! Sponsor Luna
Sunny
Gray Rat Snake
Sunny became an official Tamarack ambassador in spring of 2024. She was discovered on a construction site and brought to Tamarack for care. Sunny earned her name because she loves basking under her heat lamp. Her docile and curious personality makes her a perfect ambassador for her species, and audiences young and old enjoy meeting her in person. We hope Sunny's sweet personality will help the public to respect snakes of all kinds in the wild. Sponsor Sunny
Bear
Eastern Screech Owl
Bear came to TWC in the spring of 2024 when her nest tree was blown down in a storm. Bear sustained a foot injury in the fall that would prevent her from hunting successfully in the wild. She was treated for that injury and put on the path to becoming an ambassador. Bear has an enchanting personality. She loves bath time, pouncing on toys, stretching her wings on programs, and bobbing her head in curiosity at audiences. Bear will delight everyone who meets her for years to come! Sponsor Bear
Marcy
Virginia Opossum
Marcy arrived as a small joey in the summer of 2026 with a partially amputated tail. While we don't know what happened to her before her rescue, we do know she will have a wonderful life as an ambassador at Tamarack Wildlife Center. Opossums need their tails for balance and for gathering nesting materials like grasses and leaves.
Marcy is short for Marsupial, as opossums are North America's only native marsupial! Female marsupials have a pouch on their stomach where they raise their young. Marcy is quickly becoming a pro at capturing the hearts of program audiences who often comment on her adorably large ears and constantly wiggling nose!