South of Boise, 22 very special ambassadors live together in a sprawling complex in the Idaho desert. Their job is to form a bridge between people and birds to help humans better understand how to help raptors and other flying creatures in their natural environment.

The newest ambassador at The World Center for Birds of Prey is Salix, a baby barn owl. Though Salix is only a few weeks old, this small, scruffy-looking raptor is already teaching visitors and breaking hearts.

Stephanie Ashley, curator of birds, and Tate Mason, World Center for Birds of Prey Director, joined Idaho Matters to talk more about Salix and the avian ambassadors.

Editor’s Note: This story originally misnamed the World Center for Birds of Prey.