Ever looked into the Birmingham sky and noticed a red-tailed hawk or a turkey vulture circling far above? Birds of prey are an essential part of the ecosystem here and easy to take for granted, but one University of Alabama at Birmingham student is asking people to think about them for a moment.
Amelia Hawkins, a sophomore at UAB studying art, hopes to propose an independently designed major in natural resources management. Hawkins, who grew up around Birmingham, spent time exploring Oak Mountain State Park, the Cahaba River and other little patches of nature in the area.
Fascinated by birds, Hawkins says UAB offered her the chance to learn more about them and bring that knowledge to other people. Through an Honors College Service Learning course as a part of her personalized degree path, Hawkins spent Friday mornings volunteering at the Treetop Trail at Oak Mountain State Park. It houses 12 non-releasable birds of prey for educational purposes, and her service project job was to feed and clean up after them, and, most importantly, teach visitors about each one.
Owls at the Treetop Trail at Oak Mountain State Park include Princess, the intelligent albino turkey vulture that likes to play tug-of-war, to Junior, the great horned owl who hangs upside-down from the ceiling like a bat. Hawkins got to know each bird individually. When people would ask why the birds were in captivity, she shared their stories of injuries they had received from living so close to people.
Birds of prey are a cornerstone of our ecosystem, but they are in danger, Hawkins says. They keep rodent populations in check, which allows native plants to grow as food and shelter for the rest of the environment.
“Unfortunately, birds are constantly getting shot at, hit by cars and attacked by dogs, and the forests they live in are getting cut smaller and smaller by the expansion of our city,” Hawkins said. “I don’t want people to be scared or guilty, but I do want them to be aware of our wildlife so if they encounter an animal in danger, they can take the initiative to do something to help.”
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Hawkins says she is thankful UAB gave her the opportunity to take care of her ecosystem and the people and animals that call it home. The UAB Honors College gives her many opportunities to personalize her academic journey to suit her interests and passions.
“As I move forward, I’d love to keep giving my time to the birds, but I’m hoping to look for other service opportunities around Birmingham as well,” Hawkins said. “Maybe I’ll lead children in learning about animals at the zoo, or help clean up the Cahaba River, or plant pollinator gardens around the city. I’m super grateful for all the options I have with UAB, and I’m excited to keep learning.”
Adapted from an essay written by Amelia Hawkins