Birds of prey make an appearance at Utah State Prison

Incarcerated individuals housed in Timpanogos and Promontory got a couple of special visitors recently.

Bob, an American kestrel, and Phoenix, a red-tailed hawk, made an appearance at the two facilities thanks to the conservation group The Peregrine Fund.

Erin Katzner and Chris Parish showed off the two while being peppered with questions from attendees about the birds. Yes, the American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. It’s also one of the most colorful. No, red-tailed hawks are not the fastest raptor, that title belongs to the Peregrine falcon, which can hit about 240 miles per hour in a dive.

Katzner said the reason for showing the animals to the incarcerated – and anyone else – is simple.

“Hopefully, they will be inspired and help protect them in the wild,” she said.

Communications office, Sept. 10, 2021