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: CLOSED
HOSPITAL HOURS: Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 3:30 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”.
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.
Emma McCarthy
AVIAN CARE TECHNICIAN
Emma grew up in Wisconsin & has always enjoyed spending time outside in nature. She pursued her love of science by completing a degree in Biology at DePaul University in Chicago. During her time in school, she completed internships at the Shedd Aquarium & Lincoln Park Zoo, where she first gained experience working with wildlife. Emma is excited to continue learning about new species & the rehabilitation process at FKWBC!
Gabriel Figueroa-Torres
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Growing up on an island, Gabriel has always been intrigued by wildlife. He majored in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, where he also volunteered at the Dr. Juan A Rivero Zoo. Due to the lack of awareness in Puerto Rico and past internship experiences in conservation education, he realized how much help our world needs and that there are many ways to do it. He's thankful and excited to finally get the opportunity to help rehabilitate wildlife and learn as much as he can from it!
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).
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.
Hannah Garneau
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Hannah grew up in Michigan where she spent most of her time outdoors, exploring nature. She has always had a love for animals and knew she wanted to incorporate it into her career. She earned an A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology and a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (Go Green!). Birds became a passion for her while volunteering at Blandford Nature Center and studying abroad in Malaysia and Indonesia. Hannah is excited to gain hands-on experience with a variety of bird species and to learn about the rehabilitation process at FKWBC!
Cassy Keller
AVIAN CARE INTERN
Cassy grew up in New Jersey and developed a passion for nature and animals at a young age. She earned a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech to pursue her love for all things wild. Since then, she has gained experience in wildlife research and animal care with internships at the Las Piedras Amazon Center, Scales Nature Park, Thunder Cape Bird Observatory, and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Cassy is excited to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation and avian care at FKWBC!
Click here to see our Board of Directors!
Contact Us
To inquire about a patient's status, please email info@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:
CURRENTLY CLOSED BUT OUR HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN FOR BIRDGENCIES