MISSION WILD BIRD + LAURA QUINN WILD BIRD SANCTUARY
TAVERNIER, FLORIDA
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
VOLUNTEER
FKWBC welcomes dedicated, passionate volunteers to assist us in our work. Click above to read more about volunteering!
DONATE
INTERN
Interns are an integral part of our organization. They take part in every aspect of rehabilitation. Click above to read more about internships at FKWBC!
The Center is always in need of both monetary and material donations. Click above to read more about donating!
ADOPT-A-BIRD
Our Sanctuary Residents are looking for people to help fund their enclosures and dietary needs. Click above to read more about our adoption programs!
OUR FACILITIES
Click a location to read more!
Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary
93600 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070
Come visit our non-releasable wild birds! Take a walk along our boardwalk, watch the sunset, see a pelican feeding, & more.
HOURS: Monday-Sunday Sunrise-Sunset
Mission Wild Bird Hospital
92080 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070
While our Hospital area and Administrative Office are staff-only, Mission Wild Bird also houses our gift shop and visitor education center.
VISITOR CENTER HOURS: Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm
HOSPITAL HOURS: Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
BIRDGENCY HOTLINE AVAILABLE 24/7
"The Bird Lady"
The history of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center centers around one woman known as the "Bird Lady". It is a name that our founder, Laura Quinn, earned over the years as she created a natural legacy rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds. Originally a statistician and mathematics teacher, Quinn always loved nature. She and her husband were sailors, eventually relocating to a home in Lower Matecumbe. When asked about her time on the boat, she said, "I'd get bored on the boat. I tried to knit or crochet, but woodworking seemed to be the thing I could do that was okay to get wet." To counter her boredom, Laura began carving native birds that she encountered in the Keys.
Eventually her interest in avian species led her to collaborate with a veterinarian, Dr. Robert Foley. Together, they provided modest rehabilitation services in a facility behind her small oceanfront home. By reading bird books and observing Dr. Foley, Laura learned how to rehabilitate her feathered friends, helping them heal their broken wings, removing fish hooks, and raising the orphaned. But when the sick and injured birds she cared for increased in number and species, expansion became necessary. With a bit of well-deserved luck, Quinn acquired a 5.5 acre property on which only three-quarters of an acre could be developed - just enough space for a house and office. The rest of the property was (and remains) lush native vegetation, mangroves, hammocks, and wetlands.
Incorporated in 1988, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Inc. officially opened its doors as an organization in 1991. Team Wild Bird owes much gratitude to Laura Quinn, who left to fly with the birds on September 18th, 2010. Her focus and determination continue to motivate us to provide the best care possible to our patients. Our past, present, and future are the direct result of one woman embracing her passion and caring for the environment and wildlife in the Florida Keys.
Our mission: The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Inc. is a not for profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced; providing or locating a humane shelter for those birds that cannot be released; and educating the public towards the importance of coexistence with all wild bird species.
The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
Meet Team Wild Bird!
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented, passionate, and hard-working staff. Together, they strive to "Keep Them Flying" by providing the best care possible for our birds.
Jordan Budnik
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jordan and her jealous bird-wife Nikki moved to the Florida Keys after accepting a job with FKWBC in May 2017. She comes from a mixed background with organizations including Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE). She now works as FKWBC’s Executive Director, handling fundraising, coordinating community outreach programs, and speaking with donors about ways they can help “Keep Them Flying”.
JORDAN BUDNIK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gregory Russ
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Greg grew up in Oak Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. While studying pre-veterinary medicine at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, he discovered that he loved working with birds. After graduating, Greg volunteered and interned at a variety of rehabilitation centers in Minnesota and Vermont and worked at the Raptor Education Group Inc. in Wisconsin as an Avian Technician and volunteer coordinator. He joined FKWBC as the Wildlife Rehabilitator at the end of October 2020. In his spare time, he loves bird watching, photography, and hiking.
GREGORY RUSS
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Kenneth Lorber
FACILITIES STAFF
"I love nature and all it brings
life's great color and shape
the music of being alive
this is what we cherish
I help with daily care of birds here to give hope
and end pain"
Ken was previously a beloved long-time volunteer. He is now an integral part of our facilities staff. Without him, the Bird Center would not be here today.
KEN LORBER
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE STAFF
Sarah Slayton
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Laura grew up in Pennsylvania, where they earned their B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. They later moved to Mississippi, where they studied zebra finches and obtained an M.S. in Biological Sciences. Here, they developed a stronger interest in animal welfare, behavior, and conservation. Laura is excited to intern here to learn more about birds and gain the practical knowledge necessary to pursue a career that combines their interests. When they are not helping and learning about birds at FKWBC, they enjoy exercising, visiting the local beaches, and playing their bass.
LAURA WEST
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Connor O'Hea
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Caselyn grew up in North Carolina. As a young child, she always had a love for animals. Caselyn earned her B.S. in Wildlife Biology (with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation) from Lees-McRae College. During her time in college, while working and studying at May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Caselyn discovered that her passion was working with birds. After graduating, Caselyn volunteered and interned at Carolina Raptor Center. Caselyn looks forward to broadening her knowledge with various other species while at FKWBC!
CASELYN LITTLE
AVIAN CARE INTERN
JORDAN BUDNIK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bayleigh MacHaffie
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Originally hailing from Dalton, Massachusetts, Bayleigh joined Team Wild Bird in November 2019 after spending some time in North Carolina. Previously she was a Wildlife Rehabilitator at the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue & volunteered with the Carolina Raptor Center. Bayleigh is an IWRC Certified W.R. & has earned her B.S. in Psychology & Wildlife Biology (with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation) from Lees-McRae College. Aside from her obsession with Pelicans, Bayleigh adores & spoils her Cat (Charlie) & Leopard Gecko (Archie).
BAYLEIGH MACHAFFIE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Connor O'Hea
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Clara grew up in Gainesville, Florida, where she graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation. She has volunteered at the Florida Museum of Natural History and interned at Forest Animal Rescue working with a variety of animals, though her favorites are birds! In her free time, she enjoys birding and drawing, and her favorite bird is the black skimmer.
CLARA DARR
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Emma McCarthy
AVIAN CARE TECHNICIAN
Maggy hails from New York where she grew up going to nature camp and raising assistance dogs. With her degree in Sustainability she completed a wildlife education internship and served with AmeriCorps in New Hampshire at an environmental non-profit for two years providing watershed education, trail building, and various forms of conservation field work. Maggy is ready to get back in the bird game since she has always loved working with raptors and corvids and is excited to expand her knowledge with the variety of species the FKWBC sees throughout the year!
MAGGY POLLICINO
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Deja Canter
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Deja attended Lees-McRae College in Western North Carolina where she received her B.S. in wildlife biology with a concentration in wildlife rehabilitation. Before joining the FKWBC team in March 2021, she spent time working at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Banner Elk, NC and completed a fellowship program at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Sanibel, FL. Deja enjoys birdwatching and her favorite bird is the American Crow.
DEJA CANTER
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Connor O'Hea
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Ethan grew up in Central New York where he earned his A.A.S in Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation and is pursuing his B.S. in Conservation Biology at the SUNY School of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is an Eagle Scout, an avid environmentalist, and loves the outdoors. His favorite bird is the double-crested cormorant. Protecting wildlife holds a special place in his heart and he is thrilled to be able to get hands-on experience helping and working with birds at the FKWBC!
ETHAN CAPUTA
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Click here to see our Board of Directors!
Contact Us
To inquire about a patient's status, please email updates@keepthemflying.org.
Mission Wild Bird
92080 Overseas Highway
Tavernier, FL 33070
Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary
93600 Overseas Highway
Tavernier, FL 33070
Tel: (305) 852-4486
SANCTUARY HOURS:
7 DAYS A WEEK SUNRISE-SUNSET
MWB - VISITOR CENTER HOURS:
MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 - 2
MWB HOSPITAL HOURS:
AVAILABLE 24/7 FOR BIRDGENCIES