Raptor Research Foundation

Eagle

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is a United States–based ornithological society, focusing on the behavior, ecology, and conservation of birds of prey. It was founded on 11 February 1967 as a non-profit scientific society with the primary goal of accumulating and disseminating scientific information about hawks, eagles, falcons and owls. The RRF is a member of the Ornithological Council, and has been since 1992. The current head of the foundation is Rick Harness, who was recently appointed this position in October 2026. It publishes the quarterly journal The Journal of Raptor Research. It used to publish a newsletter called Wingspan, established in 1992, but it was retired in 2020. The society meets once a year for the Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation in Duluth, Minnesota. There, they attend workshops and go on field trips to bird watch in the area.

The RRF makes several non-monetary awards: the Fran and Frederick Hamerstrom Award, which recognizes someone who has contributed significantly to the knowledge of raptor ecology and natural history, the Tom Cade Award which recognizes someone who has made significant advances in the captive propagation and reintroduction of raptors, and the Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award, for outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the conservation of prey birds. The Partners for Raptors Lifetime award used to be given out in collaboration with The Peregrine Fund. It also makes monetary grants to support raptor research. These grants and awards are given to applicants at the Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation.

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