Step into the wild and wonderful world of raptors! Get up close to live raptors, chat with their handlers, and dive into hands-on activities about flight, feathers, adaptations and more.

Highlights of the event include:

Leslie Science and Nature Center will provide bird encounters and avian activities, as well as free live raptor programming at 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm.

Michigan Hawking Club will bring a Great Horned Owl and answer your questions about the ancient sport of falconry and birds of prey conservation.

University of Detroit Mercy Museum Studies students will run hands-on activities, including:

  • Beak Secrets: Discover the purpose of beak design as you race against time.
  • Lunchtime Leftovers: Dig in to find out what YOUR owl was eating!
  • Eyes to the Skies: Scan for birds on the Cranbrook grounds.
  • Bird Boogie: Can you dance like a bird?
  • Dino to Now: Explore the journey from dinos to modern raptors.
  • Name that Bird: Play a game to identify common Michigan raptors.
  • Who’s Your Mamma?: Can you match the baby raptor to its parents?
  • Soaring Eagles: Make a paper glider to explore how raptors soar on the wind.
  • Masking Up: Make Your Own Great Horned Owl Mask.
  • Feather Facts: Explore how feathers keep birds warm and dry.
  • Nest Engineering: Try your hand at building a nest.
  • Raptor Vision: See how the raptors see.
  • Penguin Proposals: Do as the penguins do!

About Discovery Days
Family-friendly Discovery Days explore different natural history topics each month through hands-on activities, presentations, exhibits, and more!

Discovery Days activities are included with museum admission. Acheson Planetarium and exploreLAB programs are available for an additional fee.