About Rodney's Raptors

Hi there, my name is Rodney Stotts and I am a Master Falconer. 

Falconry is the oldest sport on Earth and is the art of training hawks to hunt in cooperation with a person. More importantly, Falconry saved my life. I was on a path that would have landed me in jail for a very long time or dead. After landing a job I at first didn't think much of, the connection to nature and the joy I found in working to help vulnerable animals gave me a sense of purpose.

I was first introduced to birds of prey when my colleagues and I re-introduced Bald Eagles to the Potomac River in the 1990s, where they are still thriving to this day. Wanting to work more with birds of prey, I was told I'd have to become a Falconer. 

So I did.

Today, I am one of a few African-American Master Falconers in the the world. I still work as a Falconer and love sharing the majesty of birds of prey and my love of nature.

If you want to learn more about me and about falconry, check out my biography, Bird Brother: A Falconer's Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife.