This is bird note.

Rodney Stots decided to become a falconer after years of working with injured raptors

and teaching young people about wildlife.

There's a long process of training and licensing involved in becoming a falconer. An additional hurdle, he didn't see anyone like him doing it.

And then people looked at me and I guess it was funny to them

because Black Falconer just didn't go together.

And then once I got my foot in the door, that was it.

So you couldn't slam the door anymore.

Rodney eventually found a mentor and began training and handling birds of prey.

Now a certified master Falconer himself, he introduces kids from the Washington, D.C. area and beyond to the majesty of raptors.

First of all, just to see them smile, I pull this bird out and their eyes light up and the

excitement and them that to me is a blessing because whatever you were going

through for that split second you felt better.

He hopes his programs help students imagine more possibilities for themselves.

To have somebody somebody when I was in the fourth grade or fifth

grade or something to come in and bring a bird and tell me that I can do these things

may have changed the whole course of my life, who knows?

Learn more in Rodney's new book with Kate Pipkin, Herd Brother,

a Falconer's Journey and the Healing power of wildlife.

Find a link on our website,

birdnote.org.

I'm Ariana Remmel. You're going to.

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