Jonathan Wood
 
A boyhood spent growing up in the National Seashore wilderness of New York’s Fire Island nurtured Jonathan Wood’s fascination with birds and birding. A chance encounter with a young falcon stranded on the beach lured him into the ancient art of falconry. He started training falcons at age twelve and by age sixteen was a recognized ornithologist, writer and wildlife photographer with his own weekly bird column.
 
In 1996 Wood founded Raptor Project Inc., training and caring for the largest traveling collection of birds of prey in the world with raptors from a wide variety of habitats and countries. Jonathan is one of the few professional master falconers in America delivering over 700 lectures, shows and large exhibits across the US annually affecting millions of fans.
 
Wood is a federally licensed Master Falconer, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Raptor Propagator and is also licensed to handle eagles and endangered species for educational programs.
 
His expertise has placed him in demand as a consultant to national zoos and he works regularly on movies, documentaries, commercials, theatrical productions and books. In 2003 he was awarded the National Conservation Medal at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
 
In 2003 Jonathan was awarded the National Conservation Medal at Constitution Hall In Washington DC for outstanding achievement in environmental awareness.
 
Jonathan Wood is the inspiration for the character Jon Wood in the popular novel Frightful’s Mountain by award winning author Jean Craighead George.
 
His frequent road tours take him to many major events, fairs and festivals as well as a variety of colleges, schools, museums and wildlife centers. Along with his feathered friends he is regularly highlighted on national television including Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel, National Geographic Explorer, The Learning Channel, The Today Show, Good Morning American, The Early Show, Regis and Kelly, Fox and Friends, CNN, ESPN, PBS, CBN and TBN.
 
In 2011 Jonathan Wood produced Extreme Raptors, the world’s largest birds of prey show for Six Flags Theme Parks Inc.
 
Between busy road tours, Jonathan, his wife Susan and daughter Rachel reside in the heart of New York’s Catskill mountains and winters at their home on North Padre Island on the Texas Guld coast.
 
Currently Wood is a sponsored member of Nikon’s Birding Prostaff.